2008 Woodie Awards
Lewis M. Duncan Installed as Fourteenth President of Rollins
Issac Stolzenbach
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: News
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The entire weekend was a gala affair, rich with tradition and aspirations for the future of Rollins College. On Mills Lawn one found free food, original music, and affirmations of an outstanding choice made in selecting Dr. Duncan as our fourteenth president. Sarah Ledbetter '05, Student Government Association President and member of the Presidential Selection Committee, addressed the audience with confirmation that the proper decision was made, "The gentleman sitting before us is one in the same with the man we interviewed for the position last year. That says a great deal about his integrity."
Over a year ago, this reporter had the pleasure of writing his first article for The Sandspur by introducing a rocket scientist to the Rollins community. Then Dean of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, Dr. Duncan expressed his vision of what it meant to engage a liberal arts education in the modern day. His thoughts alluded to the fact that, ". . . the purpose of a liberal arts education is to ask the big questions. These are fighting words for some, but the future lies in the application of a liberal arts education to real-world affairs."
Dr. Duncan, during his tenure in the past year, has already demonstrated his dedication to this ideal by bringing Hamilton Holt students in from the periphery, and closer to the core of Rollins College culture. With such actions as authorizing Holt students access to the gym and pool, in his own words, ". . . eliminating the nuisance fee . . ." permitting Holt students access to on-campus facilities. He has also made efforts to enrich courses by granting Holt students more access to Arts & Science classes. The dialectic of a pragmatic liberal arts education in action: Holt students with real-world knowledge, combined with the strength of A&S students' academia, develops a synergistic environment in which all participants' education is enriched dramatically.
Dr. Robert Moore, professor of anthropology, should be attributed with forethought in his quote made upon reflection of Dr. Duncan's first address to the faculty before becoming president, "He is very focused on the student body and how, through the students, we will take this college to the next level." Dr. Duncan's actions as president thus far have confirmed Dr. Moore's notion.
The most moving event of the "Installation Weekend" is found in the president's Installation Address after the ceremonial adornment of the Rollins College presidential medal by twelfth president, Thaddeus Seymour, and thirteenth president, Rita Bornstein. In only a year's tenure, Dr. Duncan has identified and assimilated what Rollins College is all about; round-table discussions between faculty and students, and the application of book-smarts to the real world, "This style of teaching, combining the ancient Greek model of interactive forums, the Rousseau focus on active learning, and the Dewey emphasis on engaged real-world citizenship produced a uniquely Rollins learning experience."
Dr. Duncan continued to present himself a leader of graciousness and pillar of servant leadership by identifying the influence Dr. Rita Bornstein had in the continuation and affirmation of Rollins College's legacy of special purpose, when he stated in his speech, "As she describes, 'We want the next generation of citizens to cherish the diversity that characterizes Americans, to be well-informed critics of society, and to be active participants in the political process. We educate for diversity, liberty, and democracy-our American values."
The most gripping portion of President Duncan's speech came towards the end of the ceremony when he provided the audience with self-reflection and an estimation of where he stands now in the Rollins community, "Today I stand before you exemplar of the American dream, a child of Appalachia, a reflection of the sacrifices made by family, friends and a host of benefactors untold and mostly unknown; blessed by a loving family, caring teachers and gifted mentors; honed by the honesty of hard work and enriched by the experiences of a curious life. Today I come before you unfinished, learned yet still learning in both mind and heart." His final words served testament to what it means to be a life-long learner. His accomplishments abounding, and yet he refers to himself as "unfinished." This sets an example to be followed by all in academia, both educator and educated.
Lead by example, a mantra beat into the ground all too often, but it seems in the case of Rollins' fourteenth president that it should be taken to heart. The example set here is to never forget one's roots, never forget who got you to the stage, and never forget to embrace the enriching opportunities of "a curious life."
President Duncan has pledged to the Rollins community, ". . . the full measure of my service." Rollins serves to benefit significantly by reciprocating this notion; our president pledges that his mind and heart are open to the never-ending learning experiences life can afford. The question remains: What can Rollins personnel do now to facilitate a synergistic environment where the real world and liberal studies assimilate outside the classroom, in the lab of life?