Mr. FC President
Tuesday, March 24, was like any average day in the life of Franklin College President Jay Moseley as far as responsibilities were concerned.
Just like any other day, Moseley had an agenda that had to be met. This particular Tuesday called for him to: meet with Alan Hill, vice president for enrollment and marketing; attend a chapel service; attend Rotary Club; meet with Dean David Brailow, vice president of academic affairs, and Lisa Fears, vice president of planning, plant and technology; conduct a conference call with the Independent Colleges of Indiana; meet with Fears again regarding information technology; meet with Ellis Hall, dean of students; and attend a Student Foundation function in the evening.
It happened to be his birthday as well.
“Each day is very different,” Moseley said. “I enjoy that.”
With a variety of events to attend and an irregular schedule, Moseley has a systematic way of outlining his day.
“Even though I have a cool iPhone, I still make a 3x5 card for every day,” Moseley said.
He creates a new 3x5 index card every day with his schedule. It even includes a list of phone calls to be made each day.
Since Moseley became the college’s president in 2002, he has taken on many tasks and responsibilities.
“I am responsible to the Board of Trustees for the [health] and ongoing well being of the college,” Moseley said. “Everything reports through me to them.”
Moseley has a personal arrangement set up with trustees to ensure the best procedure possible.
“Every Monday morning, he meets with the full cabinet,” said Jan Schantz, assistant to the president. “He even meets every week for one hour with cabinet members individually.”
One of Schantz’s primary duties is to spend substantial time scheduling Moseley’s calendar.
“The president is an advocate for trying to make all campus constituency events,” Schantz said. “He tries to be as involved as he can.”
Working with the Franklin College faculty and staff is a priority on Moseley’s agenda. He said one of his main concerns is allowing those who work in one area to see others’ work and where they fit into the big picture.
He said he encourages his staff to take a minute and look at the big picture. A former colleague of his once told him that “everyone should be pulling on the rope in the same direction,” and Moseley encourages this advice.
“A strength here is that everybody basically agrees on what we’re trying to do together,” Moseley said. “Everyone is committed to the same fundamental purpose.”
Moseley sets high standards for the faculty and staff. He consistently arrives to his office prior to 8 a.m. and stays until 5 p.m. every day.
“He is a great leader. He knows how to set the mark,” Schantz said. “A leader like that helps [the staff] excel and strive to be achievers.”
Moseley has additional commitments to compose his daily schedule, such as being an academic adviser and teaching classes.
“This gives him a special connection with the students,” Schantz said. “He shows caring and concern for students.”
Having previously worked for four collegiate presidents, Schantz said she noticed Moseley’s bond with students.
“I love how he interacts with the students, more than any other president I have worked for,” Schantz said.
Traveling is also a part of the president’s job description.
“I tell the story of the college where it needs telling,” Moseley said. “I do some traveling to represent the college directly and some travel to represent the college indirectly.”
Moseley attends alumni events and meets with alumni and friends of the college who have been financially supportive. Indirectly, Moseley attends social receptions for people who can’t get to the campus often.
“There are a lot of opportunities, but we’re very selective of the meetings and conferences to attend,” Moseley said.
As a prior resident of California and Florida, Moseley came to Indiana after spending over a decade as the vice president, dean of the college and professor of religion at Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky. The kind of school that Franklin College is sparked his interest in this institution.
“Candace and I enjoy the leave-in value, small college and liberal arts environment,” Moseley said. “I enjoy [my position and responsibilities] tremendously because it’s at this institution. I never had a goal in life to be a president but really enjoy working with students and faculty in a small environment.”
Others recognize Moseley’s special connection to the college as well.
“Candace and him have come to love this institution a lot,” Schantz said. “Both had a liberal arts education and they love the broader education concept and learning model. They seem to fit in very well here.”
