Goodbye, Brit!

Forever Buckeyes: Patty and Brit Kirwan sing "Carmen, Ohio," complete with accompanying visuals.

Ohio State bids a fond farewell

onCampus asked a handful of people at Ohio State to collectively prepare a retrospective of President Brit Kirwan's Ohio State career from their points of view. The contributions that follow have been described by their authors as letters and tributes to Kirwan in recognition of his visionary leadership over the past four years.

Accompanying these tributes are photographs from a dinner held in Kirwan's honor on June 6, all by Kevin Fitzsimons, unless otherwise noted.

"We are a better place because he has been with us." -- David Frantz

Kirwan and David Frantz greet each other at the dinner.

David O. Frantz

professor of English

As is customary, the Board of Trustees will soon appoint someone to write the official history of the Kirwan years at Ohio State University. By the time that task is completed, the writer will have gained some distance from which to measure Brit's tenure with us here. What follows in the few paragraphs below is something quite different, a few subjective observations from a longtime faculty member whose view is biased by having been privileged to serve on the search committee that brought Brit Kirwan to the University.

I want to begin with a simple expression of gratitude to Brit for what I believe has been his chief accomplishment in his four years at Ohio State: bringing the focus back on to the academic mission (in the fullest sense of that term) of the University. Brit has turned values and ideas into concrete plans and actions that have strengthened the University in so many ways. And he has done this by seeking to invest in the people -- faculty, staff and students -- who shape the intellectual, cultural and social programs, even the physical environment itself, that make the University the special place it ought to be.

Brit's time has certainly been one that has had its share of disappointments and difficulties, particularly over the past two years in terms of state funding in support of our ambitions as a University. If the particular battle for funding itself has not been won, however, perhaps the larger principles have been acknowledged: that Ohio State University is the flagship university in the state and that it should be treated differently, especially with respect to being able to set its own tuition levels. If this is so, Brit has served us very well indeed, even in this most vexed of areas.

Others will no doubt speak to specific matters, programs and accomplishments. I want to comment in a more personal way. Thanks to a common love of tennis, which we never got to exercise enough, I got to see the character of the man revealed in a recreational activity. (The old bromide that sports do not make character but reveal character is certainly applicable here.) On the tennis court Brit's essential qualities were always on display: an intelligent, analytical approach to the game, a strong competitive drive, an aggressive spirit tempered by patience, and above all, fairness in execution (never was there a questionable line call). Finally, there was joy in the moment itself. And always there was the interest in people and ideas that flowed in the conversation that was as natural a part of the game as the play itself. For me, these are the very characteristics that Brit brought to his work every day and every night for the past four years, and we are a better place because he has been with us. Frater, ave atque vale.

"A man of experience, not given to guessing, he has a long history of championing the inalienable rights of all." -- Frank Hale

Partners for change: President Kirwan presents Frank Hale with the Commission on Human Rights and Social Change Distinguished Service Award during a February 2001 Board of Trustees meeting. Each year, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges awards the honor to a leader in higher education who is making major contributions to improve access, increase diversity and enhance the undergraduate experience. By Jo McCulty

Frank W. Hale, Jr.

vice provost and professor emeritus and distinguished representative/consultant

I am pleased to associate myself with my colleagues who wish to express to Dr. William Kirwan our appreciation of his character and accomplishments during his tenure as president of this University. His legacy is unambiguous as he has labored honestly to place knowledge and accessibility within the reach of all, and particularly for those for whom the face of democracy has been hidden.

History will reveal that since coming to the campus, he has sought to reverse the apathy toward diversity and arouse in the campus an active interest in dealing forthrightly with the issue, and a willingness to assume his share of responsibility for the institution's progress. He has exhibited the kind of leadership which by sheer force of mind and by a chain of unanswerable logic that has engaged friends and foes alike to address what measures are needed to bring about reforms that are vital to the integrity of our campus.

A man of experience, not given to guessing, he has a long history of championing the inalienable rights of all. His record of diversity at the University of Maryland demonstrated that expediency must be subservient for the good of everyone. I have found Brit Kirwan to be warm, frank, unaffected and courageous in the pursuit of his goals. He is singularly personable in his relationships with people. He has been outspoken and direct about his concerns and has maintained the dignity of objectivity. That objectivity bespeaks the absence of any self-centeredness, while at the same time, exhibiting a large heartedness that is strikingly unusual.

Dr. Kirwan possesses the unique quality of being a good listener. One always senses that he is giving serious attention to what one seeks to communicate to him. His unhurried manner has strong appeal and has marked him as a person with a quality of soul that makes him not merely admired but loved and respected -- the quality of real interest in people from all walks of life.

Brit is a humble person, and has no reservations seeking the advice and counsel of others on matters which can enrich his understanding. I recall that in the early 1980s during my tenure as vice provost for minority affairs, he called me from his position as provost at the University of Maryland to inquire about the nuts and bolts of our historic Minority Graduate and Professional Schools Visitation Days and Fellowship Program. Several days later he called again, and indicated that he would like to visit with me to discuss the values of our various minority programs here at OSU. We spent some very rewarding hours together, sharing perspectives, strategies and programs. I underscored my experiences here that had helped to make The Ohio State University the No. 1 producer of black Ph.D.s in America. Later, Dr. Kirwan told me that he did not hesitate to replicate some of those programs at the University of Maryland when he returned. Brit did not deputize some representative of his university to come and learn about what we were doing; he came himself, which impressed me that he was sincere, modest, straightforward and inquiring. These are very endearing qualities of an administrator in high standing.

Samuel Butler once said that "every man's work is always a picture of himself," and of course that is true, be it male or female. I was very delighted when I learned that Dr. Kirwan would be coming to the campus as our president. Based on his track record, I felt certain that he would illumine his mission, "Excellence Through Diversity," by consecrated devotion to that highest of all purposes -- human well-being in the fullest, widest, deepest sense.

I was both flattered and excited when he invited me to serve as distinguished representative and consultant under his watch. I will continue to pledge my loyalty to the principles he upheld with an attitude of mind and with an approach which all of us should emulate -- one that is pregnant with possibilities and participation by every member of our campus community.

The prophet Micah asks all of us this searching question, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God."

Brit Kirwan is the embodiment of the prophet's advice. He is a pioneering soul in his thrust for diversity, and who has blazed his own path and in the process, opened new paths for us all.

How firm thy friendship: President Kirwan, Sen. John Glenn, Patty Kirwan and Annie Glenn huddle for a chat.

Judith B. Fountain

director of The Women's Place

Who would have imagined what was going to happen when President Brit Kirwan wrote the following in an August 1998 letter to the Women's Task Force: "I want to reiterate my support for the concept of The Women's Place. I look forward to working with you and our colleagues toward its implementation." From the very first day, when President Kirwan met with women leaders from all levels of the University, his attitude regarding The Women's Place was not if it was going to happen; rather, it was how it was going to happen.

That was four short years ago. With presidential support for The Women's Place articulated in the Academic and Diversity Plans, women and men contributed to the creation and full implementation of the President's Council on Women's Issues and The Women's Place. Taken together, these separate but connected entities, along with partners from across campus, have created a model for enabling the University to address issues critical to women's progress. The Women's Place serves as the "on-the-ground" connection for and about women on this campus. Through partnerships with and collaborations between groups committed to the progress of women at OSU, The Women's Place and the President's Council have assured that multiple groups can focus on common issues related to women's advancement. The President's Council on Women's Issues is now the first permanent presidential policy advisory structure focused on issues impacting women. Taken together, this interconnected model of The Women's Place, partnerships with other groups committed to women's progress, and the President's Council on Women's Issues represents both the structure and the results envisioned by those women who met with President Kirwan in 1998. This interconnected model has met the needs of individuals as well as units and has served to advise the president and provost quarterly on critical policy issues impacting women. As a result of the effectiveness of the model, the American Council on Education Office of Women selected OSU as a best practice featured in Breaking the Barriers: A Guidebook of Strategies (2002) in the series on Advancing Women's Leadership III.

As we acknowledge the impact of President Kirwan's leadership on OSU, it is essential to note not only his strong support for The Women's Place, but also the style of leadership he offered to effect change regarding issues impacting women. Rather than imposing solutions from the top on women, President Kirwan acknowledged the role of OSU women in leading their own agenda. Rather than needing additional data to demonstrate a need which had been documented for more than 30 years, President Kirwan trusted the knowledge of the women in that first meeting and respected the wisdom of women on this campus to identify what needed to be done to address institutional barriers impacting women's progress. In partnership with these women, he used his role as president to assure that progress could be made to enhance OSU for all individuals. Most significant is that this collaborative style of presidential leadership stands as an effective model of change for the future. As President Kirwan returns to Maryland, what remains as a result of his leadership at OSU is this example of a collaborative leadership style for others to model and an effective institutional mechanism to continue to give voice to policy issues that must be addressed to assure the full participation of all individuals.

Gov. Bob Taft presents Kirwan with a blanket decorated with the seal of Ohio and other state scenes.

"You will leave some lasting and tangible evidence of your presidency in the goals you shaped, the leaders you hired and the atmosphere you created. " -- Caroline Whitacre

Caroline C. Whitacre

professor and chair, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics/ associate vice president for health sciences and vice dean for research, College of Medicine and Public Health

Dear Brit,

The announcement of your departure from OSU sent shock waves throughout the University. While there is certainly recognition of why the Maryland position has appeal to you and understanding of your desire to return home, it does not lessen the feeling of true loss of a great leader.

As a faculty member at OSU for 21 years, I have been touched by your leadership in three distinct ways. The most significant acheivement of your presidency, in my view, has to be the Academic Plan, and its map to success for this University. Three major goals of that plan, enhancement of the undergraduate experience, development of the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas and the enhancement of biomedical research, together have the potential to elevate the University to much greater stature. These three tenets have been widely disseminated and are known by deans, chairs, faculty, staff and students.

Equally important to what is in the Academic Plan was the process by which it was developed. The first version was floated to the entire University and was met with much criticism. It had to be honed, re-shaped and brought into sharper focus. What started out as nearly 20 goals was focused to three, a much more manageable roadmap from which to work.

Throughout the revision process, you and the provost exercised outstanding leadership in listening to the feedback and re-working the document. After the announcement of your departure, I have heard over and over from trustees to students the desire to continue with these goals, which indicates to me that the goals are the correct ones and will indeed last.

Secondly, your leadership is particularly evident in your choice of other leaders. You have recruited two outstanding individuals, Fred Sanfilippo and Bradley Moore (among others), to this institution who will contribute greatly to the elevation of its stature. Both of these men came from high-profile universities to OSU because they saw the opportunity to take the vast building blocks already here and create something greater than the sum of its parts. The vision of what could be at Ohio State for them came from you. I have had the pleasure of working closely with both individuals, only at OSU since 2000, and can attest to the fact that both have already made a significant difference in this University's research mission.

All too often in the past, I have seen weak leaders hired into positions of importance for a variety of reasons. You did not take that route. You took a risk in hiring these two outspoken leaders and committing large resource packages to them. The downstream benefits in where they will take this University have begun to be realized and there is the promise of much greater things to come. Their success has stemmed from your support and vision for them.

Thirdly, you have changed the atmosphere at OSU to one of pride and accomplishment. You have constantly emphasized diversity since your first day on campus, and the Diversity Action Plan, The Women's Place and the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas are all evidence of your commitment to greater diversity. You have emphasized development and giving back to the University. This attitude of increased fund-raising has resulted in a most successful $1.23 billion fund-raising effort and major gifts to specific areas of the University. You have demonstrated over and over again your commitment to the alumni of OSU and they in turn have responded most generously. Importantly, you have raised the bar on admission standards for students to enroll in this University. The higher academic standards today relative to five years ago result in a student body that is increasingly high-achieving. You obviously have not accomplished these things alone and have been assisted by other visionaries along the way. But it was your leadership at the top that has made these milestones possible.

Brit, you will be missed very much as we approach the end of June 2002. However, you will leave some lasting and tangible evidence of your presidency in the goals you shaped, the leaders you hired and the atmosphere you created.

Past, present and future: President Kirwan, center, talks with incoming Interim President Edward H. Jennings, who served as Ohio State's president from 1981 to 1990, and his wife, Barbara, during the June 7 Board of Trustees meeting.

"He has helped us see just how excellent Ohio State can be." -- Andy Geiger

Andy Geiger

director of Athletics

I have had a unique and special experience. I have worked with Brit Kirwan twice! I served as director of athletics at the University of Maryland, College Park, for 3 1/2 years before coming to Ohio State in 1994. To my delight, Brit arrived at Ohio State and we were able to work together once again.

As we have all learned, Brit has a wonderful way of engaging us in the work of moving the University forward in as many ways as is possible. He works very hard, with a dedication and earnestness that is compelling. During his tenure at Maryland, he developed consensus on major issues and engaged the campus in the work of advancement of the University in ways that unified the institution as never before experienced. Maryland had long been a "commuter school," and was well-known for a massive extension program born of relationships with the Armed Forces throughout the world. Brit's work there built a sense of community and campus life that made it a popular place with students and a collegial place for faculty and staff. He brought wonderful academic leadership all across the institution.

I think he was well along in accomplishing the same things at Ohio State. In fact, his legacy here will rest upon whether we are able to sustain the Academic and Diversity Plans and build an environment that is student-friendly, and exciting and challenging for faculty and staff. He has helped us see just how excellent Ohio State can be, and although he is leaving too soon, we are challenged to fight for support of education in this state and at this University as he did so vigorously.

I shall treasure the one-to-one chats we have had, the encouragement to improve, the genuine enthusiasm for our triumphs, the empathy when we didn't quite measure up, the guidance when asked for, and even the rebukes when deserved. He is a gracious yet firm mentor, and one is compelled to perform well so as to not disappoint him.

Thank you, Brit, for your graciousness, your support and leadership, your advice and direction, and for being a wonderful friend and colleague.

Go Terps! Go Bucks!

President Kirwan becomes emotional upon hearing the news from Board of Trustees Chair James F. Patterson that the following day, the board would vote on a resolution naming the William E. Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas in his honor.

Time and change: Alex Shumate, former trustee and chair of the committee that selected Kirwan as Ohio State's 12th president, compares a current portrait of Kirwan, left, with a photograph dating to his arrival at OSU in 1998.

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