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Presidents Bill Chace and Anna Manasco—of Emory University and its
Student Government Association (SGA), respectively—both detailed
accomplishments of an eventful year at Emory and outlined their plans
for the future in the fourth annual State of the University Address, delivered
Sept. 24 in Cox Hall.
As a crowd of roughly 150 settled into their seats, the two presidents
waited patiently while Lord William M. Dooley ambled to the podium to
get the event under way. Speaking on the heels of Alumni Weekend, Doo-ley
commented on the success of Homecoming: “Not since the glory days
of Push Ball have I seen such an enthusiastic bunch of mortals,”
the Spirit of Emory said through a member of his entourage.
The (un)dead then gave way to the living, as Student Pro-gramming Council
President Mitali Chakraborty and SGA Treasurer Jason Miller welcomed those
on hand and called the event to order.
As has become tradition, University Secretary Gary Hauk provided historical
information on a particular Emory accoutrement, and this year’s piece
of paraphernalia was the University seal. Hauk explained its origins and
traced its evolution to the present day.
It was then Manasco’s turn to speak, and the SGA president ran through
a litany of events and accomplishments over what she called a “remarkable”
year at Emory: “In short, ladies and gentlemen, students, faculty,
staff, trustees and guests, the state of Emory University is ascendant,”
she said.
“On the one hand,” Manas-co continued, “Emory is buoyed
by its accomplishments. As upward movement becomes tradition, it vivifies
the University community. Success is both self-generating and self-perpetuating.
On the other hand, though, Emory’s progress confers on the community
sincere and weighty responsibilities—responsibilities to itself and,
of primary interest to me, responsibilities to its students.”
Manasco then outlined what she considers those responsibilities to be:
the installation of a raised curb on Peavine Creek Road to protect pedestrians;
a consolidation of Student Health Services and the Counseling Center;
continued diligence and education regarding substance abuse and sexual
assault; creating “purposeful spaces” on campus, starting with
a rethinking of space usage in the Dobbs Center; and “realizing the
potential of the Greek community,” namely by building houses for
sororities.
In closing, Manasco reminded her fellow students that they too have responsibilities,
and she encouraged them to become involved in University life. “As
your short time flies by, live so that Emory is better because you were
here,” she said. “As you write your theses, play your sports
and educate each other, remember the community you represent. Reflect
its light.”
Chace then stepped to the podium and began his address by praising the
community for its myriad reactions to the tragic events of Sept. 11. He
particularly lauded the work of John Ford, senior vice president for Campus
Life, and his colleagues in helping the community persevere through its
shock and grief. In dealing further with the tragedy, Chace invited those
in attendance to an Oct. 4 forum
on Islam.
“This forum,” Chace said, “will be one more indication
of one of the central, driving definitions of Emory as I see it and as
I take stock of what it must be: This institution must see itself as one
pledged to the international in all its dimensions—learning, teaching,
traveling and the incorporation of more students and faculty from afar
into the community.”
The president listed a number of accomplishments of the past 12 months,
including a record year in University fundraising, the revamping of the
workplace giving campaign into EmoryGives, and the groundbreaking of the
Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts and the redesign of Clairmont
Campus.
Chace closed by speaking directly to the question of the State of the
University: “I believe it to be strong, secure and well prepared
for even further development and growth.
“Each and every year, we are able to recruit more talented students
and faculty,” he continued. “Our physical plant is in superb
shape, and so are the foundations of our fiscal well-being. We live in
a good neighborhood and a prosperous city. I am fortunate to be surrounded
by superbly capable administrative colleagues. We are blessed by Fortune
in all her various
guises.”
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