Edited by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89
On March 21, Dr. John Paul “Jay” Dowd III was unanimously selected by the Wofford College Board of Trustees as the college’s 12th president. He, his wife, Kim, and their 4-year-old Brittany Spaniel, Bristol, and 14-year old Brittany Spaniel, McAfee, are preparing for their move into the President’s Home.
Dowd found his passion for resource development early and became vice president for institutional advancement at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., at the age of 28. The opportunity gave him a seat at the table and an entrée into the complexities of higher education administration. His body of work includes strategic planning, leadership programming, curriculum development, athletics facilities management and community outreach. He’s been a successful fundraiser because he is committed to building the type of relationships, trust and project understanding that inspires people to engage in philanthropic ways. He’s looking forward to working with students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees,parents and friends to live, breathe and serve the Wofford community.
Kim also has a wealth of experience in higher education. After graduating from Arizona State University, she went to work for Delta Delta Delta sorority. That led her to enroll in the University of South Carolina’s M.Ed. in student personnel services program, where she met Jay. Her first job out of graduate school was at Meredith College working with first year programming. Later, she joined Jay at Methodist College, where she gained experience in academic services, advising, sorority and fraternity life, first-year orientation, residence life, and adjacent student services relating to dining, health, campus safety, counseling, spirit squads and campus ministry.
They’re eager to get started on July 1 and share their thoughts on Wofford’s mission and values, leadership, priorities and community.
Q: Why did the two of you decide to pursue this opportunity?
JAY: The opportunity to serve an institution that is so important to our state, region and nation, and one that’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church, aligned perfectly with our values. Certainly I’ve considered taking the next step and becoming a college president, but not just anywhere. When I learned I had been nominated for consideration for the presidency of Wofford College, Kim and I talked, and we both felt like this was an opportunity to lead and serve in a meaningful way.
KIM: The largest part is the affinity we already have for Wofford, based on our son Gibson’s experience as a student and our experience with the Parents Leadership Council. Wofford, as we know, is such a special place. In addition to how prepared Gibson was, how much he learned and how ready he was to go forth and do life, something that stood out to us was the number of faculty and staff who have been committed to the college for a long time. Tenure like that says a lot.
Q: What are the first concrete steps toward a successful first 100 days?
JAY: Right now, I think it’s important to lean on a highly competent cabinet to help prepare the engagement plan and listening tours, both with internal and external constituents. Listening and learning are important first steps. Then, together, we will build a strategic plan that will inform a comprehensive campaign. We have new board leadership, and it’s important that we build a strong, foundational working relationship so we can be productive and in lockstep when it comes to advancing the college’s mission and core values. A hundred days will go very fast.
Q: What’s the value of a liberal arts education? Is a liberal arts education still relevant today?
JAY: In a world that seems obsessed with artificial intelligence, a liberal arts education is more important than ever. AI is not going to teach you how to think critically, how to read carefully and write, how to have civil discourse. A liberal arts education helps students develop a holistic mindset. If it were not for a history professor who showed me the love of learning, we may not be having this conversation today. He provided the spark that made me not only want to learn more about history, but he also made me see the value of learning to read, write and debate. I learned I could disagree with someone, have a conversation about it and, at the end of the day, walk away as friends. We’ve lost so much of that. That’s the core of being in a liberal arts environment.
Q: As you’ve had time to process this new role, what most excites you?
KIM: This will be the fifth college campus I’ve lived on. Several people have commented on the lack of privacy, but for me, that’s not even a consideration. I love being on a college campus. There’s so much energy and excitement and always something fun going on. I also enjoy marking time by semesters. I’m looking forward to attending events on campus, building relationships and supporting students.
JAY: I’m excited about the opportunity to work with stakeholders to develop a strategic vision that will continue to propel Wofford into the next decade. Wofford is in such a good position, but there’s always a need, always a way to improve and evolve. I’m excited about listening, learning and rolling up my sleeves and beginning work. I’ll admit I’m already feeling the responsibility of the office, but that responsibility is a privilege as well. I’m energized and ready to begin.
Q: You’ve talked several times about listening and learning? Has that already started? Have you been surprised by anything since getting the job?
JAY: The number of people who have reached out and said how happy they are that we’re coming to lead Wofford has been a pleasant surprise. People I haven’t spoken to for years have reached out and been so supportive. I’ve also been surprised by how eager I am to get going. I knew it was important to finish strong for The Citadel Foundation, and I knew it was important for the Samhats to get their well-deserved applause for the impact they’ve made at Wofford for the past 13 years, but it’s been an exercise in patience to keep my distance.
KIM: I have never met a Wofford graduate who is not passionate about their college experience. Everyone I’ve met who shares their Wofford story with me says their four years at Wofford were some of the best years of their life. I appreciate that, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.
Q: What would make Wofford compelling to the next generation of major donors?
JAY: I believe the liberal arts educational experience will always provide the type of compelling stories that inspire benefactors. The experiences that students are having at Wofford, what they’re accomplishing after graduation, their professional pursuits, how they’re making a difference in their communities as good citizens and servant leaders is important to stakeholders. Couple that with strategic thinking and a plan to advance the institution in a competitive, global environment, and we have a recipe for philanthropic support. Planning, vision, leadership and stories of students and alumni … that gets people excited.
Q: How are you going to engage recent graduates and boost alumni participation?
JAY: Helping current students understand the power of philanthropy is part of what college should do, whether that’s students participating in community-based learning through their classes or students raising funds and awareness for sorority and fraternity national philanthropies. Servant leadership is very important to us, and having an environment like what we have at Wofford contributes to building a culture of philanthropy. Philanthropy is one of the most personal things we do, and we all can be supportive. Everyone deserves and has the right to feel that they’re contributing.
Q: You’ve mentioned transparency several times? Why is that important to you, and how will you be transparent with different constituents?
JAY: What I can share, I’ll always share. I understand that people want to understand why and how we’re making decisions. It helps build trust, but there are times when information is not appropriate to share. At that point, I hope people will give college leaders the benefit of the doubt and trust us to make the decisions that are in the best interest of Wofford.
Q: How do you balance tradition with the need for change?
JAY: Being able to acknowledge where you have levers to make change without being disruptive is important, as is communicating the need and reasons for change. The Wofford of 2026 is not even the Wofford of 2020. You’ve got to acknowledge tradition but be accepting that there must be change so the college continues to remain relevant.
KIM: Society changes, and you’ve got to respond. The demographics of our students are changing with every entering class. The experiences they’ve had, their dreams and aspirations … it’s important to be in touch with that and to be an institution that adapts and embraces that.
Q: How will you support faculty in both teaching and research?
JAY: Listening to them and learning more about their needs is where I’ll start. I’ll want to know what’s worked well, what’s changing with emerging technologies, what resources will be critical for faculty and the delivery of curriculum moving forward. I look forward to meeting faculty and developing connections. I know what they did for our son, and I know that’s not unique to Gibson. Another early step will be developing a good relationship with Provost Tim Schmitz. His insights will be critical, and I look forward to learning from him and working with him to ensure that our faculty have what they need. I’m proud of the track record I have had at my previous institutions when it comes to supporting faculty monetarily and as a voice and advocate for the academic program.
Q: What responsibility does Wofford have to Spartanburg and the broader community?
JAY: When you think of communities deemed to have a high quality of life, they’re all home to institutions of higher learning. Our faculty, staff and students provide leadership and service in the community. They’re good citizens. Wofford offers cultural programming — arts, music and theatre — as well as lectures and nationally renowned speakers. We have a role in economic and community development, and we give the community a home team to cheer for. I hope we can build on that going forward to leverage more external partnerships that benefit both the college and community.
Gibson Dowd ’23, Justin Kittrell, Braur Dowd Kittrell, Kim and Jay Dowd on Braur and Justin’s wedding day.
Q: What role should Division I athletics play in Wofford’s identity and resource allocation? How do you ensure athletics enhances the academic mission?
JAY: Attracting the best and brightest students to Wofford means offering a robust student activity and engagement program. Athletics, as a part of the holistic student development program, plays an important role in that. Athletics supports the college’s enrollment efforts, adds social value and boosts alumni engagement. It gives people another reason to come back to campus or support Wofford where they are. Personally, as a collegiate athlete, athletics has taught me life lessons and given me opportunities that I didn’t expect. The NCAA Division I landscape, however, is like the Wild West; there are no guardrails. We must support our student-athletes and athletics teams, and I want to be competitive — actually, I want to win — so we have to find a way to ensure that our academics, athletics and co-curricular programs have the resources they need to be successful. It’s a balance; the students applying for graduate fellowships, law school, medical school or jobs must be competitive as well. I know it’s a cliché by now, but while academic rigor and pre-professional programs are our foundation, athletics is often our front porch. We’re in this together, and I have confidence that we can figure this out.
Q: How do the two of you see your partnership working in service of the college?
JAY: I wouldn’t be in this role without Kim’s support and enthusiasm. Kim will be a full and active member of the campus community, and I know that people will enjoy getting to know her and work with her. After 30-plus years in this field, we both understand that being the president of Wofford College will require travel and being away from campus. Kim understands that life. Sometimes she’ll represent us on campus while I’m away. Sometimes she’ll travel with me and support our mission on the road. We’re a team. We’ve always been a team, and we will continue to be a team.
KIM: I intend to be as supportive as possible of Jay and the Wofford community. I’m eager to attend student presentations and performances and art exhibits. I’m looking forward to cheering during athletics events and walking the dog around campus. I want to be a presence on campus and to be approachable, meeting and connecting with people.
JAY: We’re excited about the front porch of the President’s Home. I hope if people see us sitting out there, they’ll stop and visit.