As I look back at my seven years as President, the one thing I will remember is that during these difficult and challenging times — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the tragic deaths of students and staff — members of our University community have risen to the occasion each and every time at great cost to themselves, personally and professionally, to move the University forward and never give up.
I believe that this is the spirit of WCSU, where we teach and mentor our students to learn, grow and overcome adversity so they may achieve their version of the American Dream. It is this spirit which will carry WCSU forward in the coming years and help it to grow and prosper as a leading regional comprehensive university.
And it is in this spirit that I personally welcome Dr. Paul Beran as my successor and our new interim president. In my view, he comes at the exact right moment in the University’s history, when we need a new leader with the vision, energy and ideas necessary to move the University to financial stability, enrollment growth and student success. So please give Dr. Beran a warm WCSU welcome and unite behind him to improve the University so it can reach its true potential as a leading provider for students in need of a high-quality, affordable education. I am fully committed to helping make the transition to his role as our interim President a smooth and seamless one.
Finally, my thanks to all the friends and colleagues I have made during my tenure as President here. I have found you to be nice and normal people who are extraordinary in their respective fields of endeavor. You and our students made my stay here a truly memorable experience.
Best wishes and Go Wolves!