Column is a way to share ideas on many issues
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: News
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I now would like to take a step back and tell you why I have a column in the student newspaper. I spend a lot of time out in the community and at our different campuses - and when I'm on the Truax campus I have a lot of business in the administration building. But if you ask the people who work closest to me where it is that I might prefer to spend my time, they would say "in a classroom, with students."
I really enjoy my job as College President, and I never forget the reason I'm here. I'm here to assure that every one of our students receives the high quality learning experience that he or she deserves. I'm here to make certain that this college maintains our values of excellence, respect and integrity. And although the phrase is plucked directly from our vision statement, the truth is I'm here to share in the incredible process of transforming lives one at a time.
I'm writing this column because you deserve to know my thoughts on different issues, and it gives me the chance to reflect on what I learn from you. When I stop you in the hallway and ask for your opinion about the college, my question is sincere. If I offer to buy you a cup of coffee it is because I spent a lot of years as a struggling student, so I enjoy buying coffee for a student now that I can afford to do so. If I see you when I decide to give away a few MATC T-shirts then you should take one if offered - I'm just promoting a bit of college pride.
I like knowing as many of our students as possible. I want to hear your stories, learn from your experiences, and get a feel for what or whom you like around here. So if we have not met, I invite you to stop me for a chat. If I don't meet you soon, at least I know that I will eventually. After all, I am the one who gets to shake your hand at your graduation.
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