Anisa Jibrell – Special to the Southern News
After serving Southern Connecticut State University for 18 years, James Blake, executive vice president for Finance and Administration, is ready to hand over the reins as he approaches retirement.
However, Blake admits it wasn’t an instant decision. “I started thinking about retirement 3 to 4 years ago,” said Blake, “and you’d think it’d be an easy decision to make, but it wasn’t. But at a certain point, it’s the right thing to do.”
Since 2002 Blake has been responsible for the university’s 250-million-dollar budget that consists of the operating costs, salaries, and utilities. Blake also deals with the capital budget, which funds projects like the Buley Library, and he oversees administrative support, financial aid and scholarships as well faculty planning and operations. Prior to Blake’s executive promotion, Blake worked with Audit and Fiscal Affairs for 9 years, and has worked under a grand total of 5 presidents during his time at Southern.
“I’m lucky to have a very good team,” said Blake. “There are some really good people here that made my job much easier than it sounds.”
It was at Eastern Connecticut State University where Blake began his trek towards administrative leadership by obtaining a degree in Accounting and Finance. From there Blake obtained his Masters in Public Affairs at the University of Connecticut. Blake says it was his profound interest in the environment of higher education that led him to where he is now.
Blake’s retirement plans have certainly ruffled some feathers in the administrative department.
“He’s done a great job of keeping Southern on the right track, and it’s sad to see him go,” said Beth Johnson, administrative assistant to the President Papazian. “His honest, and dry sense of humor will certainly be missed.
A search for a new executive vice president has been underway over the last couple of month for someone to fill the Mr. Blake’s shoes.
“I’m going to miss campus life, “said Blake. “As well as the students, my associates and friends who have dealt with me for 18 years who I’ve had the luxury to be friends with.”
The advertisement for the position officially closed on Aug. 31, and over the next couple of weeks the administrative department will be moving into the selection stage and will weave through applicant pool to find the right candidate, Blake confirms.
“We’ll all have to remind ourselves that we need to use a different criteria, and not just try to fill James’ shoes, because those are shoes that can’t be filled,” said Dr. Tracy E. Tyree, Vice President of Student Affairs.
No retirement plans have been set in stone, but “decompressing” is definitely on the agenda, according to Blake.
Blake discussed the challenges of dealing with the unpredictability of his position, and the joy he gained from finding those financial resolutions. “He pays such close attention to detail and works so hard with his team to balance the budget and to make resources go as far as they can,” said Tyree. “He has helped us to not feel the pain.”
Tyree expressed her appreciation for Blake’s ability to not lose touch with the core of the institution, the students. “He’s a great human being, and he is very student oriented, says Tyree, “which is not always the case with chief financial officers.”
Blake hopes to become more involved with his community in Old Greenwich, travel, and extend his support to some causes. “I’ve always been a supporter of the Connecticut Food Bank,” said Blake. “It’s one thing to make contributions, but I want to get involved on a personal level.”
Blake is scheduled to retire Feb. 1.
