Central Michigan University

Finalists named in search for CMU's associate VP for PR and marketing

Monday, March 10, 2008

Topics in this story: University news

Four finalists have been named in Central Michigan University's search for a new associate vice president for public relations and marketing.

The candidates will visit campus for interviews and open forums with the university community. A 45-minute forum in the Bovee University Center's Lake Huron Room is scheduled for each candidate, and all interested parties are welcome to attend. The times, dates and candidates are:

• 2:15 p.m. March 13: Renee Walker is manager of corporate public relations for Kelly Services Inc. in Troy, a position she has held since 2004 after serving as the company's manager of government affairs from 2002 to 2004; she also has been president of her own marketing and communications consulting company, Renee Walker and Associates, since 2002. Walker, who has been an adjunct faculty member for the University of Phoenix, previously served as assistant and executive assistant to former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. She holds a master's degree in business administration/marketing from Davenport University in Dearborn and a bachelor's degree in organizational administration from CMU. Walker is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.
• 4 p.m. March 14: Michelle Searer is director of marketing and communications at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Ind., a position she has held since 2002. Her areas of accomplishment have included marketing and communications, image and visibility, enrollment management, and departmental management. Searer previously held marketing positions at Dearborn Financial Publishing in Chicago; Creative Media Group Inc. in Hobart, Ind.; Herald News Group Inc. in Merrillville, Ind.; Mobius Management Systems Inc. in Chicago; and DMC Entertainment Group in Chicago. She holds master's and bachelor's degrees in business from Indiana University and an associate's degree in communication from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill.
• 2:15 p.m. March 20: Robert Quakenbush most recently served as vice president for marketing and communications services for the Family & Children's Center in Mishawaka, Ind., from 2002 to 2005, where he was responsible for advertising, media relations, publications and Web site development. His previous experience includes marketing, public relations and/or communications positions at St. Xavier University in Chicago; the Archdiocese of Chicago; and several public relations agencies. Quakenbush also was president of his own company, Robert Quakenbush Public Relations in Chicago, for seven years. He holds a master's degree in business from Ball State University and a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Notre Dame. He is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.
• 2:15 p.m. March 21: Patrick Crowley most recently served as senior vice president of marketing for Community Health Partners in Lorain, Ohio, in 2007, where he was responsible for brand development and setting direction, goals and strategies for the hospital system's internal and external communication efforts. His previous experience includes public relations, community relations and/or marketing positions at Northeastern Ohio Universities' Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rootstown, Ohio, and Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, Ohio. Additionally, Crowley served as an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University in Ohio and has held several newspaper-industry jobs, including owner, operator and publisher of his own newspaper company, Crowley Publishing, for seven years. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. (Note: Crowley withdrew his candidacy on March 19 after accepting a position elsewhere)