Editorial - 1/14/10

President Emeritus John McCardell’s recent decision to leave Middlebury caused a wave of conflicting feelings and responses within the College community. On the one hand, it’s hard to watch someone leave who has contributed so much to the advancement and general success of Middlebury College.

On the other hand, our loss is another institution’s gain, and we are excited to pass McCardell’s talent to any school that recognizes the unique and substantial skillset of our celebrated former president.

Current students at the College may not realize the extent of McCardell’s impact upon their daily Middlebury routine. If a student lives in the Atwater suites, takes classes in Axinn and Bicentennial Hall or does homework in the Main Library, then he or she is experiencing a Middlebury that did not exist 20 years ago.

In addition, McCardell is responsible for the creation of integrated social communities on campus, known to students as the residential commons system. His profound influence propelled Middlebury into the top tier of liberal arts colleges, and whether a student had him as a professor or not, the quality of a Middlebury education has been forever raised because of John McCardell.

Although he can rattle off an impressive list of presidential accomplishments, the real success of his 13-year term was the era of smooth and cooperative relations between the administration, faculty and students.

Though he made his fair share of unpopular decisions, it was always McCardell’s top priority to ensure that everyone, whether a supporter or detractor, understood his motives and reasoning. His openness and honesty with the student body, as well as his clear mission to vastly improve the quality of life at Middlebury, endeared him to nearly everyone.

In teaching a class every year of his tenure but one, McCardell demonstrated his commitment to never losing touch with students.

Now headed south to Sewanee, McCardell will once again take up the role of college president. A small liberal arts school with top-notch professors and a highly touted graduate program in literature, Sewanee bears a striking resemblance to Middlebury, despite our geographical differences.

Although John McCardell will be dearly missed by students and faculty alike, his legacy lives at Middlebury as long as we avail ourselves of the opportunities he created on our behalf, and emulate his clear-headed and steady-handed leadership.

It’s time for him to make his mark on another institution; we know that Sewanee will be satisfied with its choice of president, and we congratulate The University of the South on the era of ingenuity and success that is sure to come.