Jonathan Daube
(photo from MCC site)
President, I
I’ve just returned from Connecticut where I had the honor and opportunity to speak at the retirement tribute for Dr. Jonathan M. Daube, who has just concluded two decades as president of Manchester Community College, the largest of the state’s community colleges. This is more than twice the average tenure of a university president these days and a very significant accomplishment. It is particularly noteworthy not so much for the length of Daube’s tenure, but more so for his accomplishments. In the 20 years he served, MCC went from being a modest local resource to being a robust regional force that truly matters in Connecticut and throughout New England.
In 1963, MCC was newly created, a fledgling institution, and today it has been transformed into an important state educational resource. Daube deserves much of the credit for its blossoming: The enrollment approaches 16,000 students; the academic offerings are increasingly broad and deep; and the facilities numerous, flourishing — bigger and better. Educators from around the country and legislators, both Federal and State came to celebrate Daube’s career. He leaves a legacy of articulated academic offerings in the arts, sciences, and technology, and is a role model for all who care about teaching and learning.
Among university leaders, there are some who are great, some who are good, and some who just get along. There are a few who are special. Jonathan Daube was a virtuoso — he was to community colleges what Arthur Ashe was to tennis, simply the best. His departure to attend to other matters leaves all of us poorer but what he’s done during his tenure at Manchester Community College will serve generations yet unborn.
President, II
I have received a number of communications from people whom I respect disagreeing with my defense of embattled West Virginia University president, Michael Garrison. You may recall that in an earlier post I argued that if we expect to see due process for faculty we had to afford it to administrators accused of malfeasance, as well.
One of my mentors argued that it was highly improbable that the dean of the business school and the provost gave a degree to someone who didn’t deserve it without the president’s knowledge, particularly if the beneficiary of that gift was the governor’s daughter. And, moreover, it was clear that the governor and the president were friends. I remain unreconstructed. I think any president of a state university who isn’t friends with the governor isn’t doing his job. I don’t think that sort of friendship is evidence of anything. I was pleased, and continue to be so, that the West Virginia board of trustees continues to stand with the president, and I think it may be worth noting that an investigation into the subject by an independent committee recently issued a statement saying that it found “no evidence” that the president was complicit with the disreputable behavior.
