<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><b>From:</b> "Gene Sander, President Designate" <<a href="mailto:rns@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU">rns@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU</a>><br><b>Date:</b> June 20, 2011 10:59:04 AM PDT<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ALL-EMPLOYEES@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU"><a href="mailto:ALL-EMPLOYEES@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU">ALL-EMPLOYEES@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU</a></a><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Campus Message from Gene Sander, President Designate</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> "Gene Sander, President Designate" <<a href="mailto:filippek@email.arizona.edu">filippek@email.arizona.edu</a>><br><br></div></blockquote><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">To: UA Campus
Community<br>From: Gene Sander,
President-Designate</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">It is my honor to write to you today as the 20th
person to carry the title of President of the University of
Arizona.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">This is an exciting and important time to be at UA,
and everyone needs to know it.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">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.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">I look forward to working with all of
you.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Bear down, Arizona!</font></div>
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