Resignation of Chattanooga State President Jim Catanzaro ends months of turmoil

Catanzaro's decision to give in in the face of mounting criticism was anti-climatic -- the polar opposite of his 24-year tenure as a larger-than-life college president. In front of a weekly meeting of about 60 administrators, directors and department heads, the 77-year-old Catanzaro briefly read off some of his accomplishments before announcing he would retire on Dec. 31.

"I love this college and our community," his statement read. "We've made extraordinary strides over the past 24 years so that Chattanooga State stands out as one of the very best community colleges in the nation."

Photo of Lisa Haynes, chief innovation officer at Chattanooga State Community College

His announcement was met with relief from faculty who had grown weary of the distraction caused by months of controversy. Twice faculty members had approved indictments of Catanzaro's ability to lead through overwhelming votes of no confidence.

"There's a touch of sadness I think most people feel here," said faculty senate President Kenneth Goldsmith. "Faculty have gotten to know the president in good times and in bad times. I don't think we're happy it went down this way, but we're relieved that the resolution was prompt."

Dr. Jim Catanzaro is photographed at Chattanooga State in January 2014.

The findings of an extensive audit conducted by the Tennessee Board of Regents are still unknown, though agency spokeswoman Monica Greppin-Watts said the results would be publicly released once the audit is formally completed. The full board and its audit committee are set to meet next week. And it's unclear when the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury will release the findings of its investigation into Chattanooga State.

Catanzaro, whose current annual salary is about $190,000, hired Haynes after meeting her on vacation in Barbados, even though she didn't have a required bachelor's degree.

And a Times Free Press examination of documents turned up other issues as well.

• Haynes filled a position that seemed to be created especially for her. The job description required an individual with knowledge of the educational systems of the Caribbean and British Commonwealth nations and called for someone who could manage and extend the college's anticipated partnership with the University of the West Indies in Haynes' native Barbados.

• It appeared no one else had a chance at the job. Two days before she and two other finalists interviewed, documents show, the college began the process of securing a visa that would allow her to work in the United States.

• After she was hired, Haynes and Catanzaro traveled extensively together. Her name appeared on expense reports more than twice as often as any other college official. And Haynes accompanied him on all but one of his out-of-state trips last fiscal year, traveling to Barbados, California and New York City, among other destinations. The college paid for one of her trips to Barbados that coincided with Catanzaro's annual vacation there.

"She shouldn't survive," said Gardenhire, who sits on the Senate Education Committee. "If she was smart, she would just resign now and move on."

Gardenhire says he believes Catanzaro's departure was necessary.

On Monday, Haynes could not be reached for comment.

"It's unfortunate toward the end of his career that there was so much controversy about him and his management style," Gardenhire said. "But I think it's best that he's resigning. Chattanooga State can move on."

In recent weeks, the fallout has been piling up for Catanzaro. Two faculty votes of no confidence were approved this fall, with whispers that professional and support staffers might consider their own votes.

The board of regents originally said its audit would be completed by the end of November. Last week, members of the board's audit committee met behind closed doors to discuss the Chattanooga audit. Later in the week, TBR Chancellor John Morgan met privately with Catanzaro.

Morgan was not available for comment Monday, but did release a statement about Catanzaro's announcement. He said he will appoint an interim president soon, followed by a national search for a permanent chief next year.

"President Catanzaro has made substantial contributions to Chattanooga State, its students, and the community it serves," Morgan's statement said. "I appreciate his recognition that now is the appropriate time for new leadership to step in and allow the college to continue moving forward."

Catanzaro was hired in 1990 to lead Chattanooga State. Since then, he has secured partnerships with blue-chip companies including Volkswagen and Wacker. The college has scored high on the state's pay-for-performance funding system. And it has become home to two Hamilton County public high schools. Catanzaro says he runs the school like a business and has been continually recognized for his commitment to work force training and economic development.

Edna Varner, a member of the college's foundation board, said Catanzaro's leadership has helped put the college on the national map.

"Whatever people think about whatever has happened in the last six months, that should not totally eclipse 25 years of contributions to both the students and staff at Chattanooga State and this entire community," she said.

Catanzaro declined to comment beyond his written statement.

"I'm immensely proud to have been part of such a distinguished campus community," his statement said. "Hopefully, new leadership will take Chattanooga State even further."

Contact staff writer Kevin Hardy at khardy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.