Crime Log

moments. The offer to be helpful was genuine and generous.

The second reason to appreciate my predecessor’s approach is for the restraint it models. Presidents, like all leaders, enjoy being engaged and getting stuff done. They are deemed successful when they get the right stuff done, at the right time, with efficiency. Sitting still does not come naturally.

So, when former leaders hold back from offering their counsel, it reflects their respect for the office and whoever is serving in it.

Another predecessor has been even more reserved in offering judgments on people or programs, believing that it is important that I draw my own conclusions. “You will soon figure out what you need, and whom to count on for the issues you’ll face.”

These four former presidents each led with a different style, at a different institutional moment, amid changing social and cultural contexts.

Despite these differences, they share a demonstrated commitment to help their successor. As one said, everyone is behind me and believes I am well situated for this moment, this context. Votes of confidence from these four, who have sat in this office, have an unparalleled impact. For my part, I am full of gratitude to be succeeding not only my immediate predecessor, Carol Quillen, and also Tom Ross, Bobby Vagt, and John Kuykendall.

Each of these four takes the responsibility as a former president as seriously as they took their presidential role. And for former leaders who feel appropriate pride in having acted to advance our college, to then embrace a new role of standing ready as a resource may be tougher than being in the arena was.

Douglas A. Hicks is the nineteenth president of Davidson College.