NCSA chancellor resigns

After five years as the chancellor at North Carolina School of the Arts, Wade Hobgood resigned Friday citing the school’s financial problems as well as personal reasons.

He will step down officially July 1.

The school has been plagued by severe budget cuts, and last year state auditors found that the school misspent about $1 million.

“I think a lot of us are disappointed that he’s leaving,” said Sarah Bumgarner, president of the NCSA Student Government Association. “But with the audits and the budget crisis I think people understand why he’s leaving.”

Hobgood also experienced personal difficulty when his daughter was injured in a car crash last year.

“It’s a difficult job to be a leader of a school,” said Anne White, NCSA vice chancellor for student life.

“The public focus and pace is so heavy that it’s difficult for anybody.”

Hobgood leaves several key projects that he helped found as part of his legacy to the school.

He proposed a program — approved in 2001 by the N.C. General Assembly — that provides free tuition, room and board to all in-state high school students attending the school.

Hobgood also campaigned for the 2000 higher education bond referendum, which provided the school with $42.5 million to build a new School of Music complex and Welcome Center.

“One only has to look on campus and see the transformation as far as the buildings are concerned,” said Steve Karr, chairman of the NCSA Board of Trustees. “He deserves a lot of credit for that.”

But the flailing budget couldn’t fund all of Hobgood’s proposals.

“He’s worked really, really hard for five years, and I believe there has been a declining budget every year he’s been here,” said Lucinda Lavelli, NCSA provost and vice chancellor for arts and academic programs.

UNC-system officials now must appoint an interim chancellor to replace Hobgood.

Lavelli said that although no specific candidates have been announced, she will collect recommendations from students and alumni, which she will pass on to UNC-System president Molly Broad.

After an interim chancellor is selected, Broad will set up a search committee to find the new chancellor.

“One of the things that is keyly important for our campus is that this person have some kind of artistic experience, then be a great communicator, then a great visionary,” White said.

Although there are no specific individuals in mind for a new chancellor, Karr said he thinks the transition will be smooth because Hobgood appointed numerous strong leaders during his term.

Many in the school community say the transition could mean a fresh start for the school.

Bumgarner said after a crisis-laden year, she hopes a transition will shed some favorable light on the school.

“We’ve had a lot of negativity to deal with this year, and I hope next year there will be some more positive things to focus on," Bumgarner said.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.