The trustees of Piedmont University have come to the same conclusion that nearly everyone else in the community has – it is time for the school to have new leadership.
The public relations machine was cranked up to full power this week when Mellichamp “retired” rather than face forcible discipline from the board. The release announcing his departure was filled with accomplishments of academic and athletic triumphs, many of which he may have played a strong part in.
But this retirement was not brought on by the desire to sit on a beach with an umbrella drink. It was brought on by the creation of a university culture based on fear and mistrust.
Private schools do not have to answer to public inquiries about their personnel, finances or other internal matters. But as the cracks began forming in Mellichamp’s administration, the information leaked out slowly until it could no longer be contained.
The downfall started three years ago when Mellichamp was named in a seuxal harassment lawsuit. When former Demorest Mayor Rick Austin testified against Mellichamp and detailed harassment against him, the school suddenly made an enemy of the very town in which it sits.
Three lawsuits were filed after the initial Wainberg v. Piedmont University case began, and both that case and the school’s lawsuit against Demorest over water rates are still pending.
Austin got a settlement from the school in his countersuit against Mellichamp and others who conspired against him, but alas, they do not have to tell us how much it was.
In addition to dragging the university with him into these legal battles, Mellichamp has been accused on non-consecutive occasions of “damaging to the reputation, stature and sustainability” of the school, intimidation, disregard of Title IX laws and other conduct unbefitting of the president of such a fine university.
As of press time Thursday, Mellichamp is still in charge at Piedmont, even though he is retiring under dubious circumstances, to put it gently. His husband Dan Smith, Special Projects Manager for the school, resigned his position Tuesday.
But Mellichamp, who has been accused of retaliating against those in the school who cross him, has been left in power at a school already undergoing massive change in personnel this summer. Mellichamp could do untold damage before he is replaced by a “permanent successor,” as the release stated.
The faculty senate asked that Mellichamp leave now and allow the board to name an interim president. We strongly agree with this sentiment.
It is time to turn the page on this unfortunate era and regain the prosperity of the community pillar that is Piedmont University.