RA Colleges' Obsession With Credentials

[Gabe]

There were three ads in my Sunday paper from two different RA colleges seeking deans for their respective departments. All three ads required a doctorate in the field along with other usual requirements (experience, etc.).

Why is so much importance placed on credentials? If my memory serves me correctly UofP received a lot of crap because many of their faculty members didn't have terminal degrees. The emphasis just seems to be largely placed on credentials BEFORE any other criteria. Why not examine the individual as a whole? My best friend has a professor in college that was his absolute favorite and he told me this professor put in for the dean of the business school but was rejected because he did not have a doctorate. I realize this story is entirely anecdotal and could appear to be entirely made up to fit my own agenda, but I'm guessing this isn't exactly an isolated incident.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[ham]

I know of a university professor in Literature who is a published and professional writer and playwright, and has been for the last 30 years.
He has three M.As but no doctorate.
He cannot climb the ladder to become a chair or something.
At age 60+ he decided to go for a Ph.D since all other options had 'mysteriously' failed.
30 years of career aren't enough, it seems.