November 05, 2009
John Bassett announces post-Clark plan to lead Heritage University
Outgoing president will relocate in 2010 to college in Washington State
Clark University President John Bassett today announced that he has accepted an appointment to become president of Heritage University, in Toppenish, WA, following his retirement from Clark in July 2010.
Heritage University is a small, private institution located on land that is part of the Yakama Nation, near Yakima in southcentral Washington.
In a letter to the Clark community, Bassett wrote: "Some of you know that I once said whatever I did it would not be to serve as president of another college. The unique features of Heritage and its inspirational story are the things that changed my mind. I cannot, moreover, imagine myself making this decision without the ten years spent at Clark, for truly to go there is to challenge convention and to try to change the world, to try to make a difference."
Bassett was formally installed as Clark University's eighth president in March 2001. He will succeed Heritage's founding president Dr. Kathleen Ross s.n.j.m. (Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary), who served for 27 years in the post.
"Heritage University has always been fortunate to have as president a nationally recognized leader and a visionary committed to bringing higher education within the reach of those with the desire and commitment to succeed," said Paul Moulton, chairman of the Heritage University Board of Trustees. "Dr. Bassett continues that tradition and will take Heritage to a new level. He brings to Heritage and our students the skills, experience and unique abilities that make him the perfect person to lead Heritage at this important time in our history."
Prior to his career at Clark University, Bassett was the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of English at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland from 1993-2000. He is a scholar and teacher of American literature and has published 11 books and more than 30 professional articles, including a new annotated bibliography of recent criticism on William Faulkner. He is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and currently the vice chair and chair elect of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
"Heritage was founded on the belief no one should be denied access for reasons of poverty, culture or geography," said Bassett. "My wife Kay and I are thrilled by the opportunity to live in the Pacific Northwest and build on the work of Dr. Ross."
Heritage University has six locations across the state of Washington and enrolls 1,400 students annually in bachelor's and master's degree programs.