Converse College of Spartanburg, SC, has named the head of the Gibbes Museum of Art as its ninth president. Betsy Fleming, 36, will take office at the all-women’s college in October 2005. She succeeds former President Nancy Gray, who assumed the presidency at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, in January 2005. Converse officials hope Ms. Fleming can help the College gain name recognition, increase its endowment, and recruit students from other parts of the country.

According to The (Columbia, SC) State, Ms. Fleming has been director of the Gibbes Museum of Art since 2002, during which time contributions increased 74 percent. She previously worked for the Frick Collection in New York, NY, and the J. Paul Getty Trust in Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Fleming has also served at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and Harvard University Art Museums. She taught at Parsons School of Design in New York and was a teaching fellow at Yale University.

Ms. Fleming holds a baccalaureate degree from Harvard University, a master of arts in the history of design from Royal College of Art in London, and a master of arts and master of philosophy from Yale University; she expects to complete her Ph.D. from Yale University this year.

“Converse College is a stellar example of what can be achieved at a single-gender institution and I am deeply honored to become its next president,” said Ms. Fleming. “Converse’s debate team is a national powerhouse and has defeated my own alma mater, Harvard University. Converse music students travel across the world performing in the most prestigious venues. Converse science students are researching a cure for breast cancer. With an accomplished faculty, beautiful campus, exceptional resources, and committed Board of Trustees, Converse is poised for a new level of success. I will help ensure that every capable young woman hears the message about all that Converse has to offer.”

“Converse is thrilled to have Betsy Fleming at our helm,” commented Thomas E. Hannah, chairman of the Converse Board of Trustees. “Betsy is a creative visionary who has transformed the Gibbes Museum of Art into a vibrant and flourishing organization. A non-traditional candidate such as Betsy brings an exciting opportunity for Converse to build recognition as a leader for women’s issues and education.”

Susan “Susu” Phifer Johnson, a Converse alumna and chairman of the presidential search committee, echoed the chairman’s enthusiasm: “Betsy Fleming is an energetic and dynamic woman who will be able to create a compelling vision for liberal arts education for women at Converse. She understands wholeheartedly the value of education, understands what it is to be excited about learning, and understands that it is fulfilling to take your passion and make it your life.”