|
WKU President Optimistic About University's Future
Bowling Green, Ky. - While Western Kentucky University makes plans to celebrate its Centennial, President Gary Ransdell is optimistic about the school's future as a new model of a relevant comprehensive university or what he calls "the 21st Century land grant institution."
Federal legislation 143 years ago created land-grant colleges focused on solving environmental, social and scientific problems that stood in the way of economic development, Dr. Ransdell said. "Today, we do not have a federal mandate, but we do have a state and a self-imposed mandate," Dr. Ransdell said at Tuesday's opening convocation for WKU faculty and staff. "Consequently, this is an institution which takes responsibility for meeting the social, scientific, environmental, educational, health and cultural needs of its region. We are the steward of a high quality of life for those within our reach. We are the identifier and solver of problems within our reach. We are the driver of economic vitality in our region." The new WKU is meeting 21st Century needs through new programs and enhanced curriculum in areas such as biotechnology, combustion science and energy, nanotechnology, engineering, biodiversity studies, social work, education leadership, tourism, computer information systems, online MBA program, a Civil War center and a federal agriculture research lab, he said. "We are setting the pace for communities throughout our region," Dr. Ransdell said. 'Slow equals decline. If we stand in the 21st century crossroads, we will get run over. If we are comfortable and predictable, then we are not moving fast enough. That's why we are growing, building and improving as fast as we possibly can. "That's why our mission is changing. I'll say it again. There is no mission creep at WKU. Here it is an absolute full-blown mission sprint at WKU. Anyone who takes issue with that does not understand the urgency of our state mandated and self-imposed challenge, or the magnitude and complexity of the problems which confront our communities and Commonwealth." Many of those problems - both on campus and across the state -- will require innovative and unconventional solutions, Dr. Ransdell said. The entrepreneurial spirit is the new spirit of WKU as Western transforms itself into a comprehensive university of national prominence, he said. "I am optimistic about the future. We will serve the future well. As we celebrate our history, our first 100 years during this Centennial, I hope we also contemplate the years ahead," he said. Dr. Ransdell reminded faculty and staff that the stonemason who laid the columns in front of Van Meter Hall is long forgotten but his work is still admired. "The future is ours to carve, to define, to create and to shape," he said. "We shall continue to learn and grow but we must do it to last. And if we are going to do it, then let's do it with the best of them." Several awards also were presented at Tuesday's convocation: Diversity Award Recipients of the fifth annual President's Award for Diversity were John Bruni, employee; Liz Thomas, student; and Michael Coleman, community. All are from Bowling Green. Dr. Bruni, associate professor of psychology, was honored for spearheading initiatives that have WKU, the Council on Postsecondary Education and all of Kentucky's universities thinking differently about how they provide better and more access to higher education for the state's minority populations. Thomas, a junior biology major, has worked to promote science motivation and confidence in middle school students of diverse populations and to show that science can be a career option for minority and disadvantaged youth. Coleman, a WKU alumnus, has been at the forefront of embracing diversity in Bowling Green and at WKU. As a teacher, he has 27 years of experience working with at-risk students; as a minority recruiter for the Warren County school system, he has worked to increase the number of minority teachers and established the CADET (Creating a Diverse Education Team) program to create a diverse applicant pool. Spirit of Western Award Bart White, broadcasting professor in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, received the fourth Spirit of Western Award, which recognizes an individual who represents enthusiasm for Western, loyalty to the institution and principles of the Western experience and its motto "The Spirit Makes the Master." White has served as the voice of Big Red's Roar for 18 years, has been the master of ceremonies for numerous campus events and has spread the Western spirit through his work in the broadcasting program. Faculty awards At the faculty convocation, Provost Barbara Burch recognized Dr. Afzalur Rahim, management professor, as Distinguished University Professor, and recognized the following faculty award winners: Dr. Les Pesterfield, chemistry, excellence in teaching; Dr. Sharon Mutter, psychology, excellence in research/creativity; Dr. Stacy Wilson, engineering, excellence in public service; Bob Adams, journalism and broadcasting, excellence in student advising. More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu. For information, contact Media Relations at (270) 745-4295.
|