Peter McPherson says his experience in the Peace Corps helped him learn how to adapt. "When I was a Peace Corps volunteer, it was just a different culture," he said. "I found I couldn't be a gringo and be effective.
McPherson reflects on pre-university experience, growth
By JACLYN ROESCHKE
The State News
When MSU President M. Peter McPherson came to the university 11 years ago, he stepped right out of the banking world and was thrust into the academic spotlight.
Widely known for his financial and political experience, some members of the MSU community doubted his ability to run a major research university.
"Before I came to MSU, I was at Bank of America," said McPherson, who managed $600 million as the bank's executive vice president. "It was a very entrepreneurial and financially-driven environment."
But, just more than a decade later, many university officials say McPherson has earned his stripes and has carved out his place in MSU's history.
"It's just been a different style here," MSU Board of Trustees member Joel Ferguson said, adding McPherson's monetary experience helped the university develop financial accountability.
"We've stressed the academics more on the provost side, and the business and lobbying side under the president. MSU has definitely changed for the better under McPherson," he said.
Before his arrival at MSU, McPherson worked as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury, administrator of the Agency for International Development, or AID, and special assistant to former President Gerald Ford.
McPherson said through those experiences he learned how to silence his critics by figuring out how to shine in a new cultural environment.
He said his experience in the Peace Corps helped him learn how to adapt.
"When I was a Peace Corps volunteer, it was just a different culture," he said. "I found I couldn't be a gringo and be effective.
"It's just a matter of asking people what they want to get done, finding out what the formal and informal rules are and figuring out ways to do things differently, while doing practical work in that environment. But that process was a challenge."
Although his past experiences prepared him for his position at MSU, McPherson said he had never headed a group larger than 5,000 people.
"At AID, you learn the process of deciding as a group large issues," McPherson said, referring to how AID members came up with four pillars for the group. "There are parts of the university that need that approach."
The process of coming up with the pillars was similar to the process the university went through in writing the six guiding principles, McPherson said.
When McPherson came to MSU, administrators and community members decided upon six guiding principles that would propel MSU into the future.
These principles, which included improving access, diversity and scholarship opportunities at MSU, were points of focus for McPherson during his presidency.
He said he was also wanted to contain costs and develop MSU's international connection to the country and the world.
Those closest to McPherson said he has accomplished every one of those goals.
Kathleen Fairfax, director of the Office of Study Abroad, said, during McPherson's presidency, MSU's study abroad programs have flourished.
"During his time here, study abroad became truly integrated into the mission of MSU," Fairfax said. "Before, it was something some people believed in, but with his constant attention and emphasis, it became widespread. Pretty much everyone got on board."
Today MSU's study abroad program is one of the largest in the nation.
McPherson's commitment to improving MSU's financial situation was also fulfilled during his presidency, said Mike Boulus, executive director of the President's Council, State Universities of Michigan.
Boulus said McPherson's drive to gather state funding for MSU and his guarantee to keep tuition under the rate of inflation are part of his legacy at MSU.
"He is a respected individual in the state and the country and is known for his great vision and great intelligence," Boulus said. "He's very political and has been able to work very closely with policy-makers at both the federal and state level to get them to embrace his vision for MSU."
And, Trustee Dee Cook said McPherson's focus on improving MSU's international status has made the university what it is today.
"Our stature has risen under his leadership, and the recognition of the university across the country has risen," she said.
As he prepares to step down from the presidency on Jan. 1, McPherson said the university has become more prominent through forward and creative thinking - ideas he hopes continue and are improved upon in the next decade and beyond.
"There's a confidence and pride that has been enhanced here over the years," McPherson said. "If we think what we are is good enough, then we will eventually slip. I hope 10 years from now, there's a whole other list of things to get done.
"Today, we have a can-do, take-risks attitude that we can be great."
