Statement of David L. Porteous
With great appreciation for all that he has accomplished I, and the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, offer our thanks to Peter McPherson . We are honored that he chose to spend nearly eleven years as president of this great institution . His strong, energetic leadership of the University has indelibly marked it and has moved it forward in many ways . At the beginning of the 21 st century, we are in an excellent position to take MSU to an even higher level.
He has served longer than any president in the Big Ten, longer than any MSU president since John Hannah, and his leadership has found expression in many ways . He has served Michigan State University so well, and for so long, that we tend to forget what was not here when Peter McPherson returned home to East Lansing.
There was no Biomedical Physical Sciences Building . The Study Abroad Program, while significant, was not the leader in the U.S . that it is today . The Livestock Pavilion was an artist's rendering . There was no MSU College of Law . The Honors College had substantially fewer students . MSU's tuition was among the more expensive in the Big Ten - and on a fast pace to even greater cost.
The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory hadn't received an important upgrade, one that now allows MSU to compete aggressively for the Rare Isotope Accelerator . There was no Diagnostic Center for Populations and Animal Health . The debate team hadn't won a national championship . These are just some of the accomplishments during the time he has led the team and worked to further improve the University.
His knowledge and skills in finance have allowed MSU to weather far better the financial turmoil of the past two years . By the way, we have had excellent returns on our investments during his tenure . Also, his leadership in the Capital Campaign positions the University well as it closes in on the goal of $1 . 2 billion in 2007.
His vision has allowed him to take Michigan State in new and bold directions . By working hard to secure a partnership with hospital and community leaders in Grand Rapids , we are poised to bring even greater quality of education and experience to the College of Human Medicine .
Peter McPherson also served the region, the state, and the country very well . From his participation and leadership on commissions studying education at all levels, to his work to combat hunger and poverty - especially in Africa -- to his service on an advisory board to the
U.S. Secretary of Energy, he has given the full measure . Above and beyond, his selfless contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq's economy was a tremendously generous effort, and in the MSU tradition.
We have been fortunate to have Peter McPherson as the leader of this remarkable University . We are also fortunate that he will be with us this fall when we begin our celebrations for MSU's 150 th anniversary with the dedication of the statue of John Hannah, a president whose leadership inspired Peter McPherson.
We recognize that there are new challenges that await you, Peter . As I heard you talk about your experience in Iraq , it was apparent that particularly complex international problems, and your capacity to solve them, present interesting opportunities to serve yet again.
Again, on behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I express our deep gratitude to Peter McPherson for his outstanding leadership of Michigan State University.
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