With all the talk about changes in the White House, this one merits more than a footnote. Here’s the President’s statement, and here’s St. Vincent College’s release.
First thought: good for St. Vincent. Towey will raise its profile. Second thought (more a question, actually): Towey’s replacement in the Bush Administration will tell us a lot about how much emphasis this early theme of the Bush presidency will receive in its latter days. There are some new opportunities--hurricane relief and reconstruction, as well as immigration policy, to name a couple. Opponents of the faith-based initiative will have their suspicions confirmed if a "party hack" is appointed. I’d like to see a high-profile appointee who can reach across religious and (if possible, though I’m doubtful) party lines.
Update: For more, go here and here. The articles rightly note that presidential searches in higher education take a good bit of time, which means that Towey’s plans have been in the works for awhile. His departure would have occurred regardless of whether there was a broader shake-up in the White House.
Update: For an article critical of Toweys tenure and stance, go here.
Lets hope we dont get another John DiIulio.