December 11, 2004: Headlines: COS - Peru: University Administration: Lansing State Journal: McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories
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December 11, 2004: Headlines: COS - Peru: University Administration: Lansing State Journal: McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories
McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories
McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories
MSU leader's last board meeting sparks memories
Board of Trustees praises McPherson for leadership skills
By Sharon Terlep
Lansing State Journal
EAST LANSING - With a strike of his gavel and a firm handshake, MSU President Peter McPherson marked the last time he'll preside over the board that runs the nation's seventh-largest university.
"It's most sad," McPherson said moments after he adjourned Friday's Board of Trustees meeting. "It's exciting too. At the end, it's the people and the things you've done together that you miss."
McPherson, 64, has led more than 100 formal board meetings during his 11-year tenure at Michigan State University. Provost Lou Anna Simon will take over for McPherson on Jan. 1.
The banker-turned-academic leader has presided over contentious debate and decisions on everything from firing football coaches to raising tuition to opting to offer benefits to same-sex partners of MSU employees.
He doesn't have a vote on the eight-member board but plays a key role in driving board members' decisions.
Board members paid tribute to McPherson with jokes, brief "thank-you's" and a few tears.
"History will look back on your leadership here and put it into perspective so much more than we can today," said Trustee Randall Pittman, who won't return to the board after losing his seat in the November election.
Trustee Joel Ferguson joked that his role in hiring McPherson cost Ferguson his board seat in 1994. Ferguson won the seat back in 1996.
"We picked someone who had a strong financial presence and a strong political presence, but not a strong academic background," Ferguson said. "He was just what MSU needed."
McPherson and his wife, Joanne, are moving to suburban Washington, D.C., where McPherson will continue working for MSU as a consultant. From there, McPherson, who will earn $143,650 a year, will work to snag a $1 billion federal nuclear research facility for the East Lansing campus and help set up an MSU medical school in Grand Rapids.
On Friday, a teary Trustee Dee Cook told McPherson, "There's not enough I can say for all you've done to put us on the map.
"Please stay in touch," she said. McPherson nodded. "I promise."
Contact Sharon Terlep at 377-1066 or sterlep@lsj.com.
When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:
| Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia." |
| Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors. |
| The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn. |
| Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here. |
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Story Source: Lansing State Journal
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