In April 1994, when Franklyn Jenifer was named president of UTD, The Mercury ran a huge headline: "A New Era." Indeed, it was, and now the University is excited to begin another.
It's time to rid ourselves of the ship-without-a-captain days and move on with a strong, capable leader at the helm. With a new president, decisions can be made, and alliances can be formed to further the goals of all involved with UTD.
We appreciate the efforts of the search committee, despite the eventualities that brought us to a candidate that they hadn't selected. The effort they put in shows a dedication to bringing the most capable leader to UTD. It is appreciated.
To President Jenifer, we'll be sad to see you go. The Mercury humbly apologizes for all the times we've spleled your name wrong. We have appreciated your input over the years and wish you the best of luck in retired life. Let us know what it's like ordering off the senior's menu at IHOP.
To Dr. Daniel, welcome. Welcome to UTD, warts and all. We want to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. We want to see you at our chess tournaments, our basketball games and at our commencement. We want to show your our research projects, our final papers, our proposals and our creations. But, most importantly, we want you to understand and nurture our enthusiasm for making UTD the best it can possibly be.
Your leadership could guide us into the fabled realm of Tier 1, or could warble us along in maddening mediocrity. Let us know what we can do to keep us on-track to achieving scholastic greatness. UTD needs you to carry the torch.
We also want you not to forget where we've come from. The graduate students might not show up at every tuition meeting, but don't forget about them. They are the heart and the history of this school. The geoscience department might be nestled in the catacombs of Founders, but it too is part of the geoseismic roots of UTD. It was geophones which started GSI, which spawned Texas Instruments, which spawned us. All the departments of UTD acknowledge the contributions of the many thousands of people who have contributed to UTD's short, but colorful history.
But it's the future we're all excited about. The University is eager to launch (no interstellar puns intended) into the future. We are glad to see your introductory column's attention to UTD's renaissance in the fields of audiology, nanotechnology, arts & technology, brain health and sickle cell research, to name a few. Indeed, "Project Emmitt" will rush the Erik Jonsson School of Computer Science and Engineering - and UTD - down the field of progress with the nimbleness of its namesake running back.
UTD's destiny awaits, and you will help all Comets reach the stars.
The Mercury Editorial Board voted 3-0 in favor of this opinion.
Editor's Note: The above is an editorial of The Mercury's Editorial Board. The board consists of the newspaper's editor-in-chief, managing editor and advertising manager. The board will discuss, debate and develop editorial positions on issues affecting the UTD community. We welcome your responses.
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