Great leadership is both rare and necessary, especially during times of change and financial uncertainty. On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, this is our vote of 100 percent support of and full confidence in President Roderick J. McDavis.
In his May 7 address to the university community, President McDavis outlined an enterprising plan for extraordinary change in the way this university does business, builds partnerships and promotes the primacy of its intellectual and academic mission. His demonstrated leadership and singular vision, in concert with the full resources of this community, and provided us with the opportunity to remain an institution of unique distinction, both now and for generations to come.
Since the year 2001, the challenges have been many. State support for Ohio University has fallen by nearly $20 million. Hard decisions have been made in response, creating both frustration and concern. These state budget cuts are disturbing and reflect the eroding support for the importance of public higher education at both the state and national levels. But, as the president said, The measure of a great institution is not whether it has challenges. The measure of a great institution is how it resolves those challenges.
Just as President McDavis reaffirmed his commitment to the core values of this great and historic institution during his address, so, too, do we. These core values include the passionate spirit of academic inquiry, a guiding moral compass of social and political justice and a relentless pursuit of excellence in all its forms at every level ' and yes, holding everyone accountable for budgets and finance since we are all responsible for maintaining the overall quality and excellence at Ohio University and not just in our specific area of activity or responsibility.
We stand with the Ohio University Board of Trustees in our vigorous and continued support of President McDavis.
Frank Krasovec is the chair of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.
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Letter to the Editor
