Vanderbilt students remain confident in the future of the university, despite surprise and mixed feelings caused by the July 11 resignation of Chancellor Gordon Gee.
Some students said they believed Gee would remain after reading of his "unwavering and unshakable” devotion to Vanderbilt in a June 25 statement and were surprised to learn otherwise.
“I feel that Chancellor Gee’s departure was quite abrupt, and I was stunned in light of his statements a few weeks ago in which he declared he’d stay at Vanderbilt for quite a while,” said senior Jamis Gouge.
Senior Rachel Unger echoed those sentiments.
“I do find some of his statements to be contradictory, which is why I was surprised and a little insulted by his seemingly sudden decision to leave my senior year,” she said. “My parents are also upset that he won’t be the one handing me my diploma in 2008. We were big fans of Chancellor Gee; he always left a nice impression on us.”
“I do find some of his statements to be contradictory, which is why I was surprised and a little insulted by his seemingly sudden decision to leave my senior year,” she said. “My parents are also upset that he won’t be the one handing me my diploma in 2008. We were big fans of Chancellor Gee; he always left a nice impression on us.”
However, students expressed overall confidence in the Board of Trust and in the resilience of Vanderbilt.
“I believe that with the compensation and allure of the position and the recruiting abilities of the Board, the chancellorship will be and should be filled by someone with the same leadership capabilities as Gee,” Gouge said. “While the next chancellor will probably have his or her own agenda, I’m sure that Vanderbilt will continue to thrive.”
Senior Haley Swenson also expressed confidence in the transition.
“I look forward to seeing whom the Board will consider as his replacement and how Vanderbilt will change and hopefully grow over the next few years,” she said. “I think a new chancellor, whoever he or she may be, will give us the opportunity to move in new, positive directions.”
But some expressed uncertainty regarding changes to university plans that might come under new leadership.
Junior April Carr said she is concerned about the progress of projects Gee has left unfinished, such as The Commons.
“It concerns me that he initiated several projects — some that were controversial — and that he won’t be at Vanderbilt to see them through,” she said.
Sam Schreiber, a senior, voiced similar concerns, saying she thinks new leadership could be a “big risk” right now, especially with The Commons still unopened.
However, Vanderbilt spokesperson Mike Schoenfeld said at a July 11 press conference that projects such as The Commons will continue as planned.
“The Commons is something that has been in development and planning for years,” he said. “That really will be transformative for higher education, so there’s no question that will continue to be a very high strategic goal.”
“I believe that with the compensation and allure of the position and the recruiting abilities of the Board, the chancellorship will be and should be filled by someone with the same leadership capabilities as Gee,” Gouge said. “While the next chancellor will probably have his or her own agenda, I’m sure that Vanderbilt will continue to thrive.”
Senior Haley Swenson also expressed confidence in the transition.
“I look forward to seeing whom the Board will consider as his replacement and how Vanderbilt will change and hopefully grow over the next few years,” she said. “I think a new chancellor, whoever he or she may be, will give us the opportunity to move in new, positive directions.”
But some expressed uncertainty regarding changes to university plans that might come under new leadership.
Junior April Carr said she is concerned about the progress of projects Gee has left unfinished, such as The Commons.
“It concerns me that he initiated several projects — some that were controversial — and that he won’t be at Vanderbilt to see them through,” she said.
Sam Schreiber, a senior, voiced similar concerns, saying she thinks new leadership could be a “big risk” right now, especially with The Commons still unopened.
However, Vanderbilt spokesperson Mike Schoenfeld said at a July 11 press conference that projects such as The Commons will continue as planned.
“The Commons is something that has been in development and planning for years,” he said. “That really will be transformative for higher education, so there’s no question that will continue to be a very high strategic goal.”
Despite some apprehension, students said reassurance will help foster optimism about the possibility of renewed progress.
Swenson said she looks forward to seeing how Vanderbilt grows under new leadership, though she has mixed feelings about the departure of such a visible university leader.
"It is difficult to envision what Vanderbilt is without thinking of (Gee) as well," she said. "However, I look forward to seeing what having fresh leadership and a fresh perspective will do for the university.”
