Purdue News
Purdue NewsThe most important job of any university Board of Trustees is to appoint the president. Securing strong and inspired leadership for the institution is the best way we can assure its quality and thus discharge our responsibilities to the people of Indiana and our other constituencies.
Historically, the board has done that job exceptionally well. Since the founding of the University in 1869, nine presidents have led the institution.
From 1876 until today - 121 years - only seven presidents have served, and this University has thrived. We have a strong tradition of brilliant and stable leadership.
In 1983, the board continued that tradition when it named Dr. Steven C. Beering as Purdue's ninth president. In the 14 years since that decision was made, Dr. Beering has led Purdue to some of its greatest achievements; and he has become an internationally respected presence in higher education.
The past decade has been difficult for America's colleges and universities. They have been beset with steeply rising costs, declining state support, tremendous increases in unfunded mandates, and often hostile scrutiny by politicians and the news media. No institution - including this one - has been isolated from these problems. However, Steve Beering's leadership has guided Purdue skillfully and surely, and our University has remained strong and stable. We have avoided the setbacks and the uncertainty that have beset many of our peer institutions.
The Beering years have been marked by tremendous growth in all aspects of the University and a strong emphasis on academics. He has placed a high value on undergraduate teaching and stressed the importance of a first-class faculty. The number of distinguished and named professorships at the University has grown from 21 to more than 60 during his administration.
Since July of 1983, Purdue has invested nearly $355 million in capital projects, including the new Liberal Arts and Education Building, a state-of-the-art residence hall, a $32 million power plant expansion, the food science and biotechnology complex now under construction in West Lafayette, and major improvements to the athletic complex, to name just a few accomplishments.
Our regional campuses have benefited as well. At Calumet, a new computer education building and classroom office building were constructed. The campus at Fort Wayne has added eight buildings in the past 13 years, and a new technology building was completed a year ago at Purdue North Central.
Under Steve's guidance, research support from the federal government and private industry has doubled to about $130 million a year, and donations to the University have risen from less than $20 million to almost $70 million annually. The Vision 21 campaign, with a goal of $250 million, brought in more than $330 million in five years.
The president also has led a major effort to internationalize the institution as a way of preparing our students and faculty for the global marketplace. The number of students studying abroad has increased more than ninefold.
Recently, he launched the Excellence 21 program, which is integrating into the institution the best features of the corporate continuous-improvement philosophy.
Many universities are struggling to maintain enrollments, but Purdue's student body is increasing in number because our academic programs are in high demand. In every respect, we are enjoying exemplary success that is the envy of other universities.
Our president also finds time to serve in key leadership positions in national, regional and state organizations. Last year, Steve chaired the prestigious Association of American Universities. He frequently is called on to advise federal and state leaders, private industry, and other institutions.
President Beering's next birthday, Aug. 20, will be his 65th. Under Purdue policy, he would be mandated to retire from senior administrative duties on June 30, 1998.
Since a national search for a president usually takes a year to 18 months, now is the time for the Board of Trustees to face the issue of future leadership. Steve and his wife, Jane - who is a full partner with Steve - have already given much to Purdue. But I know they have much more to offer. Steve is as tireless and vigorous today as he was when he came to the office. He now has the benefit of 14 years' experience, and I do not believe there is a person in the world more capable of leading our University for the rest of this century. With the board's unanimous concurrence, I have asked Steve if he and Jane would consider extending their service to Purdue. They have agreed to continue into the year 2000.
Steve has been equal to every task in the past, and I am confident his record of performance will continue in the future. He not only has the energy and intellectual capacity to serve the University, but he and Jane are guided by a virtue of equal importance: They both love the University.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
