[Plantsci] Fwd: Campus Message from Gene Sander, President Designate

[Donna-Rae Marquez]

> From: "Gene Sander, President Designate" <rns at EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU>
> Date: June 20, 2011 10:59:04 AM PDT
> To: ALL-EMPLOYEES at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
> Subject: Campus Message from Gene Sander, President Designate
> Reply-To: "Gene Sander, President Designate" <filippek at email.arizona.edu>
> 

> To:        UA Campus Community
> From:    Gene Sander, President-Designate
>  
> It is my honor to write to you today as the 20th person to carry the title of President of the University of Arizona.
>  
> I am keenly aware that any leadership transition can cause a bit of anxiety.  It is no secret that many on campus have expressed concern over the past week as we learned that Robert Shelton would be leaving UA.  That is understandable, because Robert has been an exceptional President, who kept UA focused on the things we do well, and was unfailing in his commitment to maintaining the quality that sets our University apart.  He leaves a legacy of tremendous accomplishment, and very big shoes to fill.
>  
> I intend to fill those shoes to the best of my ability by working with all of you to sustain the momentum that we have built in recent years under Robert’s leadership, and to carry UA forward on the new and exciting fronts that are unfolding before us.
>  
> While it is true that I will serve as President for an interim period, please know that I will not be a caretaker.  There will be no inertia.  There will be no quiet year of waiting for the next President to come on board.  We are going full speed, and we are going forward.
>  
> Keep in mind that we have the largest, smartest, most diverse class in UA’s history coming on board this fall.  We are going to make that class’s college experience the best in America.  Our research portfolio continues to expand in truly exciting ways – just think of the OSIRIS-REx grant from two weeks ago.  Trust me, NASA doesn’t give a university leadership of an $800 million mission if we don’t have talent, and lots of it.
>  
> We are the Land-Grant University for Arizona, and the only AAU institution in the Southwest.  I expect everyone on campus to recognize the stature that bestows, and carry themselves with an appropriate sense of pride.
>  
> One of the great things that Robert did as President was assemble an impressive leadership team, and I am truly eager to begin working with them, starting at the top with Provost Hay, as well as the Vice Presidents and Deans.  As a long-time Dean (and for a year as Provost) I have been able to work with all of these folks, and there isn’t a better group in the country.  I have total confidence in the ability of our leadership to meet the challenges that lie ahead.  All please remember there is no “I” in team.
>  
> My roots are in the faculty.  After spending a lifetime in higher education, I have developed an undying respect for what faculty can do.  At this University, we have some of the finest faculty in the world.  Period.  And I pledge to you that we are going to do everything possible to foster a climate that allows faculty to succeed, and that will attract the best and brightest from around the country to teach and do their scholarship on this campus.
>  
> This is an exciting and important time to be at UA, and everyone needs to know it.
>  
> I had thought that I would be retiring next month to Houston.  My lovely wife Louise was kind enough to let me postpone that for a while.  I am very glad that she did, because it is the highest honor of my career to be able to lead this terrific University.  UA holds a very special place in my heart, as I know it does for all of you.  Together, we are not just going to keep it great, we are going to make it better.  And we’re going to have fun doing it.
>  
> I look forward to working with all of you.
>  
> Bear down, Arizona!
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