Inauguration Address

The inauguration ceremony

The Modern University

President Richard Davenport's Inaugural Address

October 3, 2003

I welcome all of you today to this very special event. My welcome extends to many important individuals and groups—to my friends and family; to my colleagues who have traveled from Central Michigan University and Tarleton State University in Texas; to students, faculty, staff, officers of all bargaining units; to Paul Hustoles and the members of the inaugural committee who deserve a very special welcome and congratulations for planning this inauguration and all the related ceremonies; to business, civic, community and educational leaders; to members of the MSU Foundation Board, the Alumni Association Board, and College and Department Advisory boards; to distinguished presidents and delegates from other colleges and universities; to Student Association President Rhys Gaffer; to President Emeritus, James Nickerson and President Emeritus Margaret Preska; to Mayor Lowell Sieberg and Mayor Jeff Kagermeier; to Representative Tony Cornish, and Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer; to the Honorable Robert Hoffman and Chancellor James McCormick. Thank you all for coming today. I am truly honored that so many of you are here for this investiture.

This ceremony represents more than an installation of a new president. We are here today to celebrate the history of Minnesota State University, Mankato and the future of our exceptional institution. This represents a solemn moment, an opportunity for reflection, a time to acknowledge the many leaders, faculty and staff that have made this university successful. This is also a time for reverence, a time to demonstrate the feelings of awe and respect for our history and traditions.

Reverence is a good thing and so many members of society have forgotten what it means. Reverence can kindle friendship and family life and respect of one another. Today, I am directing that reverence toward the awe and respect that we feel for what our University has become. And, when we talk about our University it is important to begin with the students we serve.

It is also a time to recognize the men and women from MSU who gave their lives in service to our country in the various wars since our University first opened its doors in 1868. These young people had little opportunity to use their education in fulfilling their life's dreams and ambitions. Those of us here today need to take time to appreciate the gift of freedom they gave us through their ultimate sacrifices. These were real people just like you and me; they were your fathers, mothers, siblings, grandparents and great grandparents, all with their own unique dreams. So, join me in showing reverence to all of them today. They remind us not to take our education and the opportunities we have for granted.

In 1957 as a young boy living in Nebraska, I was introduced to life on a university campus while visiting my sister and her husband, at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. It was there that my eyes were first opened to the life of an academic. Little did I know that this would be my life's pursuit. And, certainly I would have not believed it possible that I would become a university president someday. I came from a large, hard-working family of ten brothers and sisters. The idea of a college education was not part of our thinking or even a remote possibility for any of us at that time. However, when the seed was planted that summer in Lincoln I knew that an academic life would be very appealing to me and would bring meaning to my life.

Minnesota has long held a certain appeal for me. I spent several wonderful and enjoyable summers fishing in its many southwestern lakes with my grandfather, a full-blooded Norwegian. He liked to fish and enjoy an occasional drink and he found time for church, too. My grandfather had a wonderful sense of humor and was one of the nicest people I remember from my younger years. I am not sure when descendents from my maternal side settled in Minnesota, but I know that there have been several generations who have resided here.

Also, I have lived in St. Cloud and Winona, and finally feel that I have come back home after building my career at universities in Iowa, Colorado and Michigan. In fact, when I accepted the position here, my daughter, Natalie, remarked that we were finally coming back to the home that she remembers with much fondness. My son, Ryan, a diehard Viking fan, also relishes our return to the good life of Minnesota. I'd like to take a moment of personal privilege to ask my son to please stand and be recognized.

When I finally arrived on this campus, the reality of the challenges involved in securing our future as a modern university became readily apparent. Serving as a university president requires an unwavering commitment of time, energy, planning, reflection, friend-building and development of trust and respect in order to be successful in leading the institution to new and greater heights. It was clear from the start that pride permeated this University. That sense came through in every conversation I had with people in Mankato and the region. It was exciting to know that there was so much talent and community support here.

As I look back on my own years as a student, I realize how much there was to appreciate and what an inspiring time it was for me. I remember fondly books and classes, fellow students and faculty who challenged me, interesting old academic buildings that resembled mausoleums, athletic teams practicing, students on bicycles nearly running everyone over as we all hurried along. What stands out the most, however, is the exposure to and discovery of knowledge.

The process involved was enlightening, and I looked forward to going to class and studying at the library. In particular, I was fascinated with old books and would sneak to the archive section whenever I could to examine them and try to take a step back in time. I was hooked on college and the discovery of knowledge. I wonder how many other people experience that feeling while they are in college. This special feeling has lasted for me and continues today to add meaning and quality to my life. I guess you might say that I am in love with college! Even after all these years, when I visit the library, I still go straight to the older books section.

Today, it's uplifting for me to step out of my car in the morning and move through throngs of students who always seem to be hurrying somewhere. I wonder if they ever stop and think about this moment in time. And, in essence, the life of a college student represents but a moment in time. I want to encourage today's students to step back and realize that before long this moment will be gone forever and will live only in your memory. It is important for you to savor and appreciate these important formative years for what they are. Appreciate the impact these years of study will have on your entire future. Others in the audience know this to be true. Like most things in life that are worthwhile, it is important to not let this opportunity pass you by.

The time a person serves as a president is similar in some ways. President Emeritus James Nickerson has said that the time a president spends leading a university, even when the presidency spans several years, is also "but a short chapter in the institution's existence." Knowing this to be true, I hope that my chapter is filled with rich and memorable experiences as our institution moves forward as a modern university in the 21st century.

Sometimes as I sit at my desk late at night, I wonder what it was like for the eleven presidents who preceded me. Julia Sears, who was the first female president of a college in 1872; Edward Searing, who was given the first title of President; Frank McElroy, who introduced tuition for the first time in 1934; and others. Do we share the same joy in our students' success? Was the magnitude of their problems and challenges any different than mine?

How did they have time for all the required correspondence without a desktop computer or wireless phone system to rely upon? I wonder what it was like to know each student personally and to interact with all faculty every day. It seems to me that life as a president was so much simpler in those early times; however, I'm sure they would all disagree with me on this point!

While I cannot go back in time, I am very fortunate to be able to visit with several living MSU presidents. Presidents James Nickerson, Margaret Preska and Richard Rush have all been supportive and availing of their time. They each present invaluable insights and perspectives. I am honored that James Nickerson and Margaret Preska are here at this inaugural ceremony with the university community and me. Just last evening we recognized Dr. Nickerson by naming a room for him in the Centennial Student Union.

I wonder what Daniel Buck, a Mankato attorney in 1867, envisioned as the future of MSU when he secured support from the Minnesota Legislature to sell bonds for the $5,000 required to start the second normal school in the State.

He could not have anticipated what this normal school would look like 135 years after its inception, just as it is difficult for us to imagine our University in the year 2138. I know, however, he promised citizens that the benefits of their investment would be repaid ten-fold. Clearly, Daniel Buck's prediction has not only come true, but has surpassed everyone's expectations. Understanding the awesome changes during these past 135 years should help us understand the extent of change that lies before us. So, let us embrace the anticipated changes of a dynamic and modern university by starting today.

The prestige that our University holds in the State is unmistakable and I recall how impressed I was during my interview meetings with community leaders like Glen Taylor, Dennis Dotson, Patti Lloyd, Bob Hoffman, Fred Lutz, Curt Fisher, Wynn Kearney and many others. I continue to call upon these leaders and many others today for support and guidance. My decision to accept this position was further influenced by the numerous faculty and staff whom I encountered.

Honestly, I've never met such a dedicated and proud group of professionals. Everywhere I travel, I tell the story about how wonderful our faculty and staff are and the high academic and scholarly standards that they promote. It is so inspiring to see faculty and staff sincerely care about students and take a personal interest in their well being and eventual success.

Chancellor McCormick and President Richard Davenport

Finally, during my interview last year, I met Chancellor James McCormick. That was the clincher for me. I was impressed with his straightforward and honest approach to leadership and life in general and realized instantly that I had someone who would stand by me and help me to be successful at MSU. I am lucky to have Chancellor McCormick as a mentor.

I feel very fortunate to have the support of my family, friends, and colleagues here today—all of whom contributed to turning the vision of a young boy visiting a college campus for the first time into this wonderful reality.

I need to pause here to tell you how I feel about our faculty, staff and students. First, our students are the most wholesome and friendly group I've ever met. They are bold and articulate yet respectful and civil. They care about our environment and they care about the world in which we live. They are concerned about policies and actions their country is engaged in worldwide. There is an awareness of the rest of the world and the leadership role that we play in it. These are bright and serious students, who can think for themselves and are not afraid to question their professors and mentors.

The faculty and staff at MSU are remarkable. I simply cannot say enough about our outstanding faculty. They are dedicated and committed to the individual student, the learning process and the discovery of knowledge. Our faculty believes in MSU and they believe in what they do, and clearly represent the core strength of our institution. Likewise our staff are true professionals, continually striving for innovative, efficient ways to serve students. They do their jobs well. It's both humbling and exciting for me to realize fully my role in this University.

Even before I moved into my office I was talking about a vision for a "modern university." It's this vision that I want to share with you and engage you in.

I believe a modern university is dynamic. It must constantly adapt to the changing needs of the world around it and absorb the explosion of knowledge and other influences impacting it. It must be representative of the cultures and diversity that exist in the world. The modern university is connected to its many publics. It cannot remain insulated from the world in which it exists. Just as Daniel Buck had a concept of what he wanted from the college when he set out to raise the funds to start our institution, others in the community and the world around us today have concepts of what they need from our institutions of higher learning. The modern university makes sure its work has value to the public it serves. Social, human and economic problems need to be addressed. Universities have the talent and ability to contribute in meaningful ways.

The modern university reaches out to its publics to create relationships, partnerships and collaborations that are mutually beneficial. We need to ask our publics what they need from us, rather than simply asking them for help and assistance. We need to determine if the consumer, the employer finds value in what we deliver.

The way we educate our students and the curriculum we promote also defines, in part, the modern university. We must be devoted foremost to student learning and development, and that means emphasizing learning over teaching. One thing we need to ask is whether our General Education curriculum can best prepare students to successfully operate in the interconnected, complex world of today and the future. A modern university must have a strong liberal education program in conjunction with excellent curriculum leading to meaningful careers.

Students graduating from the modern university need to be equipped with an integrated, trans-disciplinary and interdisciplinary study that is formulated to match the realities of the complex world in which we live. For instance, today's Management graduate must understand the interconnection of world geography, transportation, language, culture and good business practices in order to be successful.

Subjects need to be integrated into meaningful knowledge clusters to allow our students the opportunity to see the complexity of the world and workforce they will be entering. Our faculty realizes this and plans the curriculum to meet these goals. Our workforce needs graduates who can see the big picture, who are educated to think critically, react thoughtfully and quickly, synthesize knowledge readily and communicate effectively. A modern university, then, is dynamic; it is connected to its community; and it educates broadly and deeply.

Throughout the coming weeks this university will engage in opportunities to reflect on the concept of a modern university and what this means for MSU. It is my desire that these conversations cross all divisions of the university and that everyone participate in the discussion. Since a modern university is also efficient and strategic in its planning and actions, last year we established five strategic priorities that support the vision of the modern university. Task forces made up of individuals all across campus, working together, are addressing each of the priorities with detailed and innovative action plans.

President Davenport with students,
faculty, alumni, and community members
at the reception following the ceremony

Many of you have heard about these strategic priorities throughout the year; however, allow me to briefly mention them again. We are engaged in developing and implementing campus plans for enrollment management, facilities, public relations and marketing, and fund-raising. We will continue to promote diversity across all levels of the University and throughout the region. The institution is working on the establishment of a distance learning strategic plan and a plan to enhance graduate education at MSU. And, finally, but certainly of utmost importance, we're developing a plan to enhance academic excellence and academic standards in undergraduate studies. I believe it is this work, in part, which will move MSU far along on our quest to become the modern university. With this plan our future looks very promising, indeed!

A few weeks ago, a very esteemed faculty friend stopped by my office to deliver a poem she had written. This poem caused me to pause, reflect and think seriously about the kind of president I want to be. And, as I read it, I realized that the eleven presidents that have preceded me must have had a similar blessing to sustain them in building, with everyone's help, this rich heritage that is MSU. The poem is called "Blessing for a President."

This poem, this blessing, will serve as my guide as I strive to be the "modern president" of Minnesota State University, Mankato. There are not enough words to express how much I believe in this university. I can think of no more exciting, challenging and esteemed position than serving as your 12th President. Thank you.