Exit Dr. Chapman

The president of my alma mater resigned amid controversy this last week, to the surprise of supporter and detractor alike. The recipient of some fairly negative press coverage the last few weeks, he decided he could no longer lead the university.

This event is unfortunate for the students, faculty, and alumni of NDSU, not to mention the community of Fargo. To say Dr. Chapman transformed NDSU as an institution is an understatement. My freshmen year was 2001, and changes that occurred during my schooling were vast. Not only did he successfully transition NDSU to Division I, he also expanded graduate programs, pushed student enrollment to record levels, and oversaw a transformation of the physical campus.

I had the chance to get to know Dr. Chapman personally, as a member of Bison Arts Singers, a quartet that traveled around the country promoting NDSU at alumni functions. A kindly, unassuming man, he doesn't fit the 'stereotype' for university presidents. More approachable than many professors on campus, Chapman's quiet & friendly demeanor made him popular among students, myself included. To watch him speak to alumni was exciting, as his passion for the institution was evident and sincere. Even in small gatherings, in far away locales, away from the press, he always promoted student's interests. To him, "Students are Paramount" was not just a slogan, but rather the lens through which he made his decisions.

Granted, the budget overrun on his house and the $22,000 trip to Washington D.C. warrant investigations. But even if he made mistakes with university money, I hope his legacy is judged by both his successes and failures. I think the latter will outweigh the former.

Good luck Joe.