By Aliza Davner
Editor in Chief/ Lycourier
According to Dr. James E. Douthat, “great moments involve someone reaching out.” If true, then he has contributed to many of Lycoming College’s greatest moments.
Douthat, the third longest serving president in Lycoming College history, plans to retire June 30, 2013. The announcement was made by Peter R. Lynn, chair of the Lycoming College Board of Trustees. Douthat was named president in 1989 and is in his 23rd year at the helm of the College.
“President Douthat, without question, has been the major driving force for Lycoming College for nearly a quarter-century,” Lynn, who is a 1969 Lycoming graduate, said.
“Under his leadership, Lycoming has undergone a remarkable transformation, moving from a fine regional college to being firmly established as a national liberal arts and sciences institution,” he said.
“President Douthat has worked tirelessly to strengthen the college’s academic and financial foundations. In putting both in place, he not only orchestrated many positive changes at Lycoming, but he also created new opportunities for the college in the future. With great admiration, the Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude to him and his wife, Emily, for their hard work and long-term commitment to Lycoming College,” Lynn added.
Douthat said that his choice to retire in 2013, as opposed to at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year, was to allow for the board of trustees to form a committee and to conduct a nationwide search for a successor.
Impact on Lycoming
As president, Douthat and the trustees set two overarching goals for the College. The first was to maintain and strengthen the academic program, and the second was to increase the endowment to ensure additional, on-going revenues to support student scholarships and other institutional needs.
Today, Lycoming is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best colleges in national publications.
Like many colleges in the country, Lycoming elected not to grow in enrollment and retain its focus on small classes taught by full-time teaching faculty holding the highest degrees in their academic fields.
This year, students come from 31 states and 12 countries.
Under Douthat’s leadership, the trustees adopted a new financial model, one which took both time, effort and discipline to implement. The successful completion of three capital campaigns and the positive impact produced by the new financial model caused the endowment to grow from less than $19 million in 1989 to more than $160 million today.
Changing Times
The “job of the president is to maintain (and) strengthen the school’s foundation so change can occur,” Douthat said. Several changes occurred during his tenure, as tens of millions of dollars have been spent on new facilities, including the Shangraw Athletic Complex, Recreation Center, Mary L. Welch Honors Hall and The Commons.
Major additions and renovations have also been undertaken, included that of the Wertz Student Center. Such renovations included the expansion of the dining hall and the relocation of the bookstore to its current location.
The college also has moved into the Information Age during Douthat’s time as president. In support of Lycoming’s technological advancements, Douthat recalled that the Internet was not publicly available during his first few years as president, but today he sends correspondence via his iPad.
Improving Education
Numerous other educational enhancements were added during Douthat’s presidency. Among them, the Office of the Assistant Dean for Freshmen to support the transition to College, the Institute for Management Studies to enhance the programs of the business, accounting and economics departments, and the Visiting Scholars Program to bring directors, conductors, writers, ambassadors and others into the college’s classrooms.
The college now has 225 endowed scholarships, making it possible for hundreds of students to attend each year.
Douthat also worked closely with various donors to recognize excellent teaching and scholarship through the creation of nine endowed professorships.
Beyond Lycoming
Douthat chaired the boards of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Middle States Athletic Conference, and the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. He led the Lycoming County United Way Campaign in 1999.
Additional voluntary service includes directorships of The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities, The Pennsylvania Educational Telecommunications Exchange Network, WVIA Public Television and Radio, Williamsport Hospital Center and its now parent body Susquehanna Health, the Lycoming Foundation for business development and the National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church.
He has served as a member of the National Advisory Board of The School of Theology at Claremont in California and on the NCAA’s Presidents’ Advisory Group for Division III.
Life Before Lyco
Prior to Lycoming, Douthat was the executive vice president of Albion College in Michigan, having previously served as the dean for student life at Duke University.
A native of Petersburg, Va., he earned a bachelor of arts degree from The College of William & Mary as well as a Master of Divinity degree and a doctorate in educational management, both from Duke.
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| Dr. James E. Douthat was named the 14th president of Lycoming College in 1989. He plans to retire in June 2013, after 24 years of service. He is the third-longest serving college president. |
Regarding his plans for after retirement, Douthat said that he has not given much thought to those days, saying that he will “probably read books (and) travel.”
He added that he is looking forward to sleeping in later than he has for the last 23 years.
Despite leaving Lycoming College, Douthat and his wife, Emily, have no intentions of leaving the Williamsport area. Douthat said that they are building a home outside of Williamsport, adding that they have lived in this area for longer than any other and consider Williamsport home. Douthat also has a strong family base in Pennsylvania, with both of his children residing in-state.
In all, Douthat looks back fondly on his time at Lycoming, saying “When Emily and I came to interview in1989 we were immediately impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the people here. That first impression has never changed for us.”
Fond Memories
Recalling a few special memories from the last 23 years, Douthat said they include “many great graduations and many great graduation speakers.”
One speaker which he identified as “one of my favorites” was the former head of the news division at PBS. This speaker created a great moment (by Douthat’s definition) when, after ending his address, he shook hands with every graduate.
Douthat added, “It has been a great pleasure to have been able to spend most of my professional years at Lycoming. And, a great honor to work with many others who, each in his or her own way, expand the educational opportunities for our students.”
However, he is not rushing into retirement and remains focused on the prospects of the 2012-2013 year, “I trust this next year will be as fulfilling, interesting and challenging as each of my last 23 years here. To play a role in the growth and strengthening of such a great institution continues to be both exciting and rewarding.”







