Keynote speaker praises Park, says college presidents have difficult job
College presidents have a difficult, yet satisfying, job, the keynote speaker at Dr. Janie Park’s inauguration as Chadron State College’s 10th president said last Friday evening.
Dr. Ronald Sexton, chancellor of Montana State University-Billings since 1995, said few things in life are as gratifying, yet as challenging and at times as frustrating, as being a modern college president.
He noted that the students, faculty, alumni, parents and trustees look at the position from different perspectives and all can raise perplexing questions.
“Yet, you have the personal satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference,” Sexton stated.
Sexton was Park’s supervisor during the nine years that she was the provost and academic vice chancellor at MSU-Billings before she came to Chadron State last August.
The speaker said Park possesses all the skills, experience, knowledge and leadership traits essential to leading Chadron State through the next generation of change. He called her a person of remarkable courage, unquestionable integrity and exemplary character.
“While I cannot promise on President Park’s behalf successful outcomes for every initiative, I can guarantee that you have chosen an extremely talented president who’s entire professional career has exemplified openness, a belief in shared growth and a commitment to excellence. She is a person you can trust, she keeps her promises, she fulfills her obligations and she leads with a full understanding of the responsibilities of leaders,” Sexton said.
He pointed out that publicly-supported colleges such as Chadron State have a large responsibility. He noted that they are frequently asked to assist many sectors of society, particularly in the time of need. He said these include producing graduates to fill shortages in the workplace, spurring economic growth and advancement, improving public education, solving social problems and providing citizenship education.
Sexton also stressed the importance of higher education. He said U.S. workers with only a high school education earn an average of $27,280 annually while those with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $51,194, or nearly twice as much. He said the higher earnings result in increased tax collections and fewer tax dollars being spent for social programs. He also said other benefits of higher education include reduced crime rates, a greater tolerance of diversity, increased civic participation and more charitable giving and volunteerism.
“Nothing is more important to America’s national interest today than meeting the challenge of delivering on our rhetorical commitment to making high quality postsecondary education available to all qualified citizens,” Sexton said.
He added that one of the few great advantages America holds in global competition is that the nation knows the importance of providing higher education to the widest possible cross section of its population.
“Our commitment to educating more underserved people from minority and low-income populations and our commitment to increasing the number of first-generation college-goers is a secret weapon in the struggle to improve the well-being of our society as a whole,” Sexton stated.
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Category: Campus News