Albion College Leader Moving School Forward

Written by John Face

City Watch NEWS

April 16, 2024

Sometimes the Past Must be Addressed Before Moving Forward

As Albion College was recovering from Mathew Johnson’s failed administration and Joe Calvaruso’s anemic and visionless post-Johnson leadership, the Albion College Board of Trustees, which finally got a handle on its leadership when Joann “Joey” Miller was named Board Chair, did one thing right: They appointed Wayne Webster its new President.

Assuming the role of the college’s 18th President on July 1, 2023, Wayne Webster was fully aware of the uphill battle that awaited him. Albion was amid a Michigan Attorney General’s (AG) office investigation, initiated by two concerned alumni, into the school’s financial practices and potential threat to the institution’s stability.

That investigation lasted for several months and concluded with a positive outcome for Albion College. Notably, no charges were filed against anyone at the school, and the college did not admit wrongdoing. Instead, Albion College and the AG office established a Memorandum of Understanding, a significant step towards resolution and future transparency. President Webster, when asked for a comment, pointed out that the document is readily available online via FOIA for anyone to access. He also mentioned that the college has agreed to three years of monitoring as a gesture of good faith regarding the spending of the Endowment.

“Our giving Tuesday in November (2023) was 517% higher than last year (2022)

Yeah, things are getting better for the school. Webster stressed the need to look toward the future, and when asked, he spoke of engagement by alums as a sign things are improving. Admissions are solid so far, and that area needed improvement. His relationships with students have also been appreciated by many. I have had the opportunity to speak with 12 different students, from frosh to seniors. Each has interacted with their President, and each says almost the same thing. He is easy to talk to and seems genuinely concerned about them and their time at Albion.

I have spoken to staff members who are happy he has been willing to include them in their students’ education decisions. Though many offer concerns about class sizes and that some positions still need to be filled, they all concede that cutbacks must happen until the school grows stronger through increased enrollment and Endowment. As one Professor said, “I see things getting a little tight for a while, but so far, the students have not had to suffer; that’s the most important thing to me.”

Tighten the Belt

Of course, increasing revenue and controlling expenses have caused him to make some tough decisions. The school had to lay off employees as part of cutbacks. Most cutbacks have come through attrition, not filling vacancies, etc., but he had to make the tough call and let people go. One thing that impressed me most was his personally meeting with all those who were let go from the school. Separating from good employees is never easy, but Webster’s personality lends to this task as he comes across as honest. When asked if more direct employee cuts are coming again, he said, “I have no plans for that, but I can not say it will never happen again.”

Leader, Family Man

Webster came to Albion via The College of Wooster, where he was the interim President. Those at Wooster who worked with him prior to the interim title and then for him said he was open and engaging. One Wooster colleague said, “He was that person that if you had an issue with something, even if he disagreed with you, you could talk to him, and he would consider your point of view.” That sentiment has followed him to Albion as students and staff enjoy his easygoing personality.

He is married to his wife Sally and has a daughter, Stella (11), and he has a son, Reid (forever 6), as he succumbed to leukemia in 2020.

As we sat for two separate interviews, my entire focus changed. Yes, I had questions about the school’s financial stability, and he said it was better now than when he arrived here. I found a man who has quickly developed a love for Albion College, its students, and staff. He speaks fondly of the relationships he has started in the community and stresses that understanding the college’s success is vital to Albion’s success.

He will be installed as President on Saturday morning, April 20, 2024.