In this story on Deb Takes’ year as acting president in the April 24, 2014 edition, the article stated the selection process incorrectly. Marie George neither contacted nor chose Takes as president. The hiring of the president is strictly the board’s purview. This story has been edited to reflect the correction on April 29, 2014. Loquitur regrets the error.
“It’s been one of the most interesting years of my career. It’s a really happy place to work. I just love the people.” After graciously serving as Cabrini’s interim president starting in July of 2013, Deb Takes will be stepping down on June 30 and will be succeeded by Dr. Don Taylor.
As a former member of the board of trustees, Takes was only familiar with the other members as well as those who served on the different committees she worked with. Coming into her term as interim president, Takes involved herself in as many campus activities as she could. In doing so, she has not only made herself known across campus but has become someone cherished by the Cabrini community.
“There’s so much that I want to be a part of with all of the dinners and honors society inductions and concerts. It’s a very vital place.”
Throughout the past year, Takes has been involved in numerous events around campus. The fall convocation, the Christmas tree lighting, the Lenten Lectures and a few other speakers are just a small amount of the activities that have become everlasting memories for her.
When asked what her fondest memory here has been, Takes said, “Just working with the people [she’s] met and working with the people [she’s] had the privilege to work with.”
Beginning in 1986, Takes’ career at Cabrini started through her position as an adjunct professor under the communication department teaching advertising, advanced advertising case studies and advertising copy writing. This lasted for about 10 years when she stated that the department was moving on and the classes had simply run their course. This then opened up the opportunity for her to continue her own education and earn her master’s degree in management.
In 2000, former president Dr. Antoinette Iadarola then made an unexpected phone call to Takes asking her if she would serve on the board of trustees. She happily accepted the position and served until 2013 where she ended her two year term as chair and went into retirement.
In July 2013, the college community was given a surprise as President Marie George resigned from her position. The board of trustees selected Takes. “I committed to do 18 months if they needed me,” Takes said in a recent interview.
When asked what she feels was the reason behind George’s choosing her she said, “I think because I had been here for such a long time I was probably one of the five people that had been here that long. I had been really involved in almost every committee. I knew all the people and I knew the college and I had a business background.”
With that, Takes then took on the role as interim and has had, as she describes, one of the “most interesting years” of her career.
Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Takes was unable to extend her term past the 18 months that she had committed to. “It was a difficult decision to not stay longer but it was the right thing for my life.” The reason the interim position fit so well was the combination of her retired status and experience with the college as well as the fact that she simply had the time.
Now that the national presidential search has concluded and the college prepares for the term of Taylor, Takes was able to reflect on her past year at Cabrini and what she is looking towards in her near future.
Takes currently owns a home in Florida where she has been taking care of her mother. Once her time at Cabrini concludes, Takes plan on going back into retirement and spending the summer relaxing and traveling and eventually going back to Florida in October.
