Chancellor Woodson has arrived

Randy Woodson arrived on campus today and started the morning with students.  He noted with a grin that our students have opinions about a lot of things; very strong opinions.  Transportation and parking, athletics, academics and the challenges of operating a decentralized major public university were among the issues they discussed.  The student experience at NC State was another.

He  then had meetings with the leadership groups of the Faculty and Staff senates, lunched with some of Raleigh’s business leaders, met with his team of Executive Officers (where he quoted John Fogarty,) hosted a reception for all those he will be working with at Holladay Hall, met with the editorial board of Technician, and finally had a moment to himself.  His schedule is similar tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day…

Whew.  I’m tired even thinking about what Chancellor Woodson has ahead of him as he takes control of the ship we know as North Carolina State University.

I was impressed with his presence throughout the day.  He was confident and well informed about NC State, but recognized he has much to learn and see before forming lasting opinions about the university.  He is a good listener.  He is also comfortable talking with students, staff, faculty, alumni and people throughout the community.  And he is humble, recognizing the tremendous opportunity he has before him and acknowledging the responsibilities of running the most important university in the state.  Strong traits for a new chancellor I think.

Strategic Planning will be one of the keys to our success, he said.  The power of a strongly articulated vision for NC State is something that should not be overlooked.  He also echoed a theme we’ve heard before, the need for a strong central university vision.  NC State was founded as a single university, not a group of separate of colleges, he noted.  Lots of work to do there.  Lots of things to figure out.  Things to decide.

He also talked about the dialogue.  The need to talk with as many people as possible about the future of NC State.  He suggested the possibility of hosting an open series of meetings or gatherings throughout the year during which he would encourage a university dialogue on those issues we feel are most important. He suggested involving people from all areas of the university as part of the strategic planning process.

So, day one is history (although I’m sure Chancellor Woodson will be working well into the night) and a new chapter begins at NC State.  I feel the passion Randy Woodson has already developed for the university and I’m excited about the future.

Passion Rules!

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