Trinity, Tomorrow. University elects Danny J. Anderson, Ph.D., to serve as its 19th president by Jeanna Goodrich Balreira
Excited: one word can be used to describe award-winning
professor and Mexican literature scholar Danny J. Anderson, Ph.D., as he begins his transition into Trinity’s highest leadership role. Anderson has been unanimously elected by Trinity University’s Board of Trustees to serve as the University’s 19th president. Anderson, currently dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, describes the liberal arts as “wonderful for the 21st century.” He is “especially excited by the student-centric emphasis of the University combined with its intellectual excellence and ambition” and admires “the broad, traditional liberal arts blended with business, engineering, and preprofessional programs that prepare students to address the complex world that they will move into after they leave Trinity.” While looking toward the future, Anderson also recognizes the challenges Trinity faces. “I am drawn to the challenge of helping to raise the national prominence for Trinity’s excellence to a higher level,” Anderson says. “With the help of the Trinity Tomorrow strategic plan, I aim to build upon some of the unique strengths that have made Trinity what it is, showing the University is a leader in liberal arts and sciences education.” Excited by the prospect of the University’s 150th anniversary in 2019, Anderson will be in office to “help plan events, recognitions, and celebrations to signify this remarkable accomplishment,” he says. “It is an honor to recognize the traditions of generations of the Trinity community.” Getting to know this community, Anderson looks forward to visiting San Antonio several times before assuming the presidency on May 29, making connections with faculty, staff, students, and alumni. He sees those connections as playing a vital role in the University’s success. “I’m encouraged that Trinity is exploring new ways to connect with all generations of graduates,” Anderson says. “They are the individuals who tell the
story about how the Trinity experience creates a lifelong journey to discover, grow, and become representatives of the University.” Not to mention, Anderson says, “They are the parents of the future, and hopefully their children will choose to become future Tigers!” Showing his #TigerPride already, Anderson encourages Tigers young and old to use their Trinity educations to make an impact on others’ lives. “We are all called upon to lead in the world,” Anderson says. “A leader doesn’t mean a title—it means having the skills to work as
a team and influence those around you. The Trinity community fosters the ability to be effective and successful at influencing others. Trinity graduates set the agenda for the world that they want to create.” As Anderson’s leadership guides Trinity, he is “excited about the opportunity to work together with those who make up this community.” Anderson notes that “this community is larger than the sum of its parts, and I look forward to meeting and listening to the many individuals who have their own unique, personal stories.” “My goal,” he says, “is to help the Trinity community achieve even more than it presently imagines.”
Winter 2015 TRINITY
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