Stephen Spahr Leaves Position as Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs

In yet another change in Frostburg State University’s administration, Mr. Stephen Spahr has left his position as Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs.

There is no acting chief of staff at this time, according to Interim President Tom Bowling.

“Since I am in an interim position, I will not permanently fill a senior-level staff position, so we will likely divide his responsibilities among existing staff, which will enable the “long-term” president to appoint someone to that position, if it felt that it is needed,” said Bowling in an email to The Bottom Line.

Spahr was hired for this position shortly after Dr. Jonathan Gibralter was named FSU’s president in 2006. Spahr and Gibralter worked together previously at Farmingdale State University in New York. Gibralter was president of Farmingdale State University from 2001-2006, and Spahr served as vice chair of Farmingdale State University on New York’s College Council.

Spahr’s position did not exist until Gibralter’s tenure as president, according to Bowling.

Gibralter began his tenure as Wells College President on July 1.

In his role as senior vice president for governmental relations, Spahr “worked with members of the Western Maryland delegation and assisted in advancing the University’s legislative agenda and also some work with local business and industry on economic development,” said Bowling.

“The role of the Chief of Staff varies greatly from institution to institution, but often takes a leadership role in a variety of tasks; e.g., making certain that reports are completed by other staff in a timely manner,” said Bowling. “The areas here that reported to Mr. Spahr included University Police, the Title IX Coordinator, the University’s General Counsel, and the Small Business Development Center.  Decisions will be made within the next few weeks regarding a new reporting structure for these individuals.