A closer look at the new president
Written by Jessie Heath Editor-In-Chief | 
Who is Hancock?
No, we aren’t asking about the 2008 film starring Will Smith and Jason Bateman. We’re talking about the new face of Methodist University: MU’s fourth president, Dr. Ben E. Hancock Jr.
"I am truly honored to serve as the next president of Methodist University and to continue the excellent work of Elton Hendricks and the Board of Trustees," said Dr. Hancock in a statement made to the University. "I have been so impressed with the faculty, staff, and students at the University during my visits. Methodist is fortunate to have such capable leadership and caring people associated with the University."
With the spring semester kicked in high-gear, things at Methodist appear to be the same as always. From the outside looking in, it would be tough to tell that Methodist is getting ready for a big change. Following the retirement of M. Elton Hendricks, who served as president for 27 years, the Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Ben Hancock, Jr. would succeed Hendricks, effective March 1.
The news received mixed reactions from the student body because very few students had any involvement in the selection process and emails sent to the student body were vague.
“I would be excited about the new president coming if I knew who he was,” said Brion Holmes, a physical education major. “I feel like I don’t know anything about him though, other than that he’ll be here.”
When the Presidential Search Committee narrowed its presidential candidates down to Hancock or Delmas Crisp, the Dean of Academics at Methodist University, emails were sent to a handful of the students, asking them to attend student sessions with both candidates. During these sessions, students were given the opportunity to ask the candidates about their plans for the future of the university. Of the students involved in the interviews, most seemed pleased with the results.
“Dr. Hancock will bring a fresh, new perspective to [Methodist],” said Katelyn Dockery, a sophomore and physical and health education major.
In a statement to Methodist University, Mr. Harvey T. Wright II, chair of the Board of Trustees, called Hancock, “a strong strategic planner who has a passion for the education experience that a private, coeducational liberal arts university can offer.”
Every university has two faces. The academic programs of a school lure in students who are interested in particular areas of study: medicine, art, languages and many others. The other branch of a successful university focuses less on academia and more on student development. This branch is concerned with shaping the wholesome leaders of tomorrow, while nurturing the talents they already possess today. Methodist University has a strong academic program, but student development falls by the wayside. Hancock’s focus seems to be on shaping the student development side of the university, which is something that excited many students and staff members. His strength, as demonstrated by his previous jobs, is in raising money to further university relations, which is an area Methodist has always struggled in.
Prior to his decision of coming to Methodist, Hancock served as the Vice President for University relations at Ball State University in Muncie, IN for four years. Prior to his service to Ball State, he worked at Albion College in Michigan, where he helped raise more than $255 million. In addition to his work at Ball State and Albion, Hancock was also employed at Boise State University, Penn State University, Maryville College and James Madison University.
When talking to students during his visit to Methodist last fall, Hancock demonstrated a familiar demeanor not unlike that of former president Hendricks. Hancock’s soft-spoken and warm personality allowed many students to feel comfortable around him.
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