Summer/Fall 1996

On Beginning a Presidency

It is a thrill beyond describing for this member of the Class of 1965 to have the opportunity to lead St. Lawrence. This was a fine and demanding place in the early 1960’; it is an even finer place today. The times are challenging, but never in the nation’s history has it been more important for universities and colleges dedicated to excellence in undergraduate liberal arts education to be strong, committed and vital so that present and future generations of talented young people may gain the wit, wisdom and courage to make a difference for the good.
It is tough to be absolutely first-rate at helping students to learn, but I see no reason why St. Lawrence shouldn’t be as good as any institution in America when the measure is the value we add to the intellectual and personal development of our students. The only definition of good teaching I have heard that is persuasive is “causing learning.” That is what the St. Lawrence faculty was about in my time here, and that is what they are about today. I am delighted now to be a partner with them in a very special vocation.
When you think about being a university president, you know that the one thing you can’t change easily is the faculty. Other things can be fixed on a reasonable time scale. But if the faculty aren’t right, you’re stuck for a very long time. I’ve visited St. Lawrence several times since becoming a student here – in addition to reunions, once as a consultant for some admissions recruitment planning, and another time to help what was then the department of sociology and anthropology think about its future – and each time I went away feeling terrific about the people who work here as faculty and staff.
St. Lawrence combines real strength in the traditional majors with smart and creative cross-disciplinary connections. It challenges students from the very first day with a rigorous academic and residential freshman year program; its thoughtfulness and persistence in getting students to study abroad is laudable; and the commitment of its faculty to the hard work of learning to teach ever better and better is deep and sincere. Faculty have demanding expectations for students that are coupled with a certain lightheartedness and warmth that helps keep students at it in the face of the occasional discouragements that accompany the hard work of learning. It really is a pleasure to be a part of this.
THE AGENDA for the coming year is exciting. Ann and I will spend a great deal of time getting to know St. Lawrence in new ways. Though we are long-time fans, we think we need to approach St. Lawrence like anthropologists encountering a new culture. We will need to ask questions and listen carefully so as to begin to understand the language and culture. What St. Lawrence is today is necessarily the starting point for what is can become, and one must be careful not to presume what should be the outcome of empirical research. This will involve a lot of talk with faculty, staff, students, members of the Canton community, alumni, parents and trustees, both on campus and off – talk we greatly look forward to. Very importantly, I am committed to learning and using the shared governance systems in place at St. Lawrence for facilitating appropriate consultation during decision-making.
But there will be other activities as well:

• This year St. Lawrence must complete the self-study for its decennial reaccredidation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This is a chance to take stock of the entire University in a systematic way. The timing is most helpful for all of us in this leadership transition.
• A facilities planning process has been begun and will continue throughout the year. Needs all across the University will be identified and prioritized as part of an overall plan that will guide capital acquisition and allocation during the next decade.
• A new dean of admissions and financial aid needs to be located and hired to fill out a very able senior staff team. St. Lawrence’s admissions picture has improved considerably in recent years. Our goal will be to build new strengths on top of today’s foundation so that St. Lawrence can recruit and retain a student body of increasing quality and diversity whose fit to the University is right.
• A fund-raising campaign is well along in the so-called “quiet phase,” during which over $30 million has been committed to St. Lawrence for current operating, endowment and facilities support. This year the overall goal must be established, the list of needs to be met agreed upon, and the conversations with those who can help intensified. St. Lawrence must succeed in this critical area if it is to thrive.

Ann and I are truly glad to be here. We look forward to meeting you and talking with you about St. Lawrence’s future. That you continue to care for this place as we do is one of its greatest strengths. Thank you all, most warmly.