The Columbia College alumni magazine
Letter from the President
a f f i n i t y
Reflections
Life is a mosaic with high spots and lowlights, rough or smooth in texture. The trick is to sustain and celebrate the high spots and diminish the lowlights, although there may be lessons of value drawn therefrom. As I glance back on my career in higher education, my own mosaic, if you will, I see aspirations fulfilled; I see abundant joy derived from family and professional lives. Some of my high spots include the myriad interactions with colleagues, many of which resulted in long-lasting friendships. Another is the satisfaction derived from achieving goals and thereby making that “difference” to which many aspire. Said achievements would not have been possible were it not for the good people hired at the college over the years. The majority participated in promoting a culture of trust and loyalty, as well as an environment guided by the principles and practice of civility and respect. I am blessed to have had the great good fortune to contribute to the success of others in my more than 45 years in higher education. Whether early in my career as a professor or later as a college president, I have had the opportunity to lead. Not being a formal student of leadership and, to the extent that I had any ability in that field at all, it came naturally. In my estimation, there are few more noble undertakings than to enhance teaching and learning and it has been a privilege to have played a role in changing the lives of students. While I look forward to the transition from daily work to retirement, I will miss the people and the challenges, the excitement and yes, the worry. While those emotions may fade somewhat over time, Columbia College will always hold a place of high honor in the precincts of my soul.
Columbia College Board of Trustees Chair Daisy Willis Grossnickle ’66 Vice Chair Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 Secretary Janet Carter Wright ’58
Trustees Mark Baisley ’93 Walter E. Bixby III ’82 Judith A. Cunningham ’64 Dr. Amy L. Darnell Jerry D. Daugherty Gary R. Drewing
Joseph P. Dubinski ’96 Steve Erdel Dr. Julie K. Estabrooks Steven S. Fishman ’74 George W. Hulett Jr. Robert W. Maupin
Richard L. Montgomery Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 Dale Coe Simons ’65 Susan Wilson Solovic ’80 Rev. Brad Stagg Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 Carol Winkler ’93