Ask the President
10 Things I’ve Learned at UNC
In July 2002, I wasn’t certain I would have the privilege of reflecting on 10 years as UNC president. UNC is indeed a great teaching and learning community, and I have learned a great deal here. In no particular order, here’s a list of things that I believe I have learned during the past 10 years:
1. The human factor is essential.
2. Leadership is a shared responsibility.
3. Freedom to be creative requires freedom to fail.
4. What invigorates some people terrifies others.
5. Crisis doesn’t produce lasting change.
6. The funding model for public higher education is irretrievably broken.
7. A university should not be run just like a business.
8. Bigger isn’t always better.
9. Perspective matters.
10. You have to be honest with yourself.
—From Kay Norton’s State of the University campus address Sept. 25. Norton elaborates on the list during the 30-minute speech.
A video recording and transcript of the speech are available at www.unco.edu/president
