SJM_Lycoming Profile_0825FINAL.qxp_profile 8 / 15 / 25 5 : 13 PM Page 1 s p o n s o r e d p r o f i l e sjm pursue . College also is a time where you can pivot and change , and there are helpful men - tors and colleagues that make that possible in productive ways . We need to [ inspire ] stu - dents to pursue careers , graduate school or professional degrees and be the leaders of tomorrow . We also really need to equip stu - dents to know how to be better human beings , how to build community , and how to develop relationships that last a lifetime . These are things that we know translate to happiness , more success professionally , and essentially greater joy and meaning over the course of a THINKING lifetime . That’s what’s most rewarding about being at a place like Lycoming College : We take very seriously the careers and lives of DEEPLY , our students . It sounds like a very tight - knit community . ACTING Wevery purposefully take interest in students as whole human beings . As we like to say : we educate students ’ ‘ body , mind and spirit . ’ Forty percent of our students are student - BOLDLY athletes ; large numbers of students are per - forming on stage , in choir or in band ; students are traveling the world and exploring new Charles “ Chip ” Edmonds began his role as president culturesand having that inform their academic of Lycoming College July 1 , and he has already made a experiences … these are all pieces to what is significant impact in the lives of students and staff — still , he has special about being at Lycoming College . much more planned for the future . By Carly Murray What are the guiding principles you hold about higher education ? he first time Charles W . Edmonds , Ed.D . , support and equip them to be resilient , to be Higher education is not simply about the stepped on Lycoming College’s campus , durable , to learn and grow from the challenges transmissionof information , it is about learn - T he was a student - athlete . Nearly 10 they face as students , is from our own expe - ing how to be more wise , helping to drive years after he graduated in ’ 98 , he returned riences and leaning into a student - centered newideas and innovation , and creating lasting to Lycoming College as a staff member , be - approach to leadership . organizationsand businesses that contribute cause it was there that he became inspired constructively to society and humanity . Ly - to pursue a career in educational leadership . Could you describe your most memorable coming College — and higher education in With over 25 years of experience that includes experience so far ? general — is about equipping people to be previous roles such as vice president for ad - Oneof the most memorable experiences was better at acquiring the knowledge that they vancement and executive vice president at in my role as executive vice president . We need , and doing that in a way that helps Lycoming , and advancement roles at Duke had been in the midst of a very extensive 10 - them build community , contribute to the and Yale universities , Edmonds now oversees year comprehensive campaign . I mention knowledge economy and shape the world in the College with the philosophy that education this because campaigns are not just about positive ways . should be grounded in community engage - the dollars that you raise , but the level of in - ment , expanding the classroom and a deep stitutional ambition you can realize . At the What will students experience at Lycoming commitment to the student experience . culminationof that campaign — when we ex - College ? South Jersey Magazine spoke to Edmonds ceededour goal by about 20 % , reached every Ourmantra is — Think Deeply . Act Boldly . We to learn more about his approach to higher singlesubgoal and realized funding for every think deeply in and beyond the classroom . education , his vision for Lycoming and more . project that we wanted to complete — we When we say , ‘ think deeply , ’ that means you were able to share and celebrate with faculty , engage with others … and think about the How does your perspective as an alumnus staff , students and alumni . … It’s a pretty disciplinesthat you’re studying , the questions influence the way you interact with students special moment when a place like Lycoming that need to be asked , or the challenges that and implement initiatives ? canmarshal the whole energy and excitement we face across a range of fields . You think I bring a desire to engage , learn from and in - ofits community in that way to achieve great deeply about something in order to then act teract with students as much as I can : from things . boldly . The idea at Lycoming College is that eating with them , to showing up at their ath - neitherof these should happen in a vacuum ; letic events , to being a part of student lead - What are your hopes for the future ? it’s when you bring the two together that you ership meetings , to going to concerts and In higher education , we need to heavily lean havethe potential to make the greatest impact plays . I like to see and encounter students at intothe idea of putting students on the career inyour own life , the communities where you n theirbest , and at the same time , it’s important path that they know or believe they want to live and the world at large . to be with students when they are facing some of their greatest challenges . How we Lycoming College | Williamsport , Pa . | ( 570 ) 321 - 4026 | Lycoming.edu SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 22 issue 5 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 41