WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 5
CAMPUS
New provost ready to help staff, faculty and students
BY FRED A. DAVIS III
fdavis@kansan.com
KANSAN STAIRS WRITER
So far, so good.
That's the initial impression from new provost and executive vice chancellor Robert Lariviere two days into his new job at the University of Kansas.
After 24 years at the University of Texas in Austin, where he served the past seven years as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Lariviere was selected as provost in February.
"This is a great job. KU is an important institution nationally, and to combine the jobs of provost and executive vice chancellor, this job is a great opportunity," Lariviere said.
Granted, Lariviere has not had much
time to delve into any serious campus business, though he is aware of some of the issues facing the University and has preliminary ideas of what he envisions for it - while still learning about the University.
"KU is at a huge advantage because it's a very good research institution, yet it has maintained a culture that places a big value on its quality of education." Lariviere said. "I want to figure out ways to help faculty and staff tell the story of KU, loudly and effectively."
Lariviere is also aware of what he is inheriting.
Lariviere said he has yet to meet with all the faculty at the University and that he wants to listen to their needs and ideas before he decides on what issues to tackle. He said he wants to understand the priorities of the faculty and students before evaluating what talents he has to address those priorities.
Concerning his decision to leave UT, Lariviere said that after 24 years in Austin, it was the right time for a change, and KU provided that change. Lariviere said he would definitely miss his friends from Austin but that he'd do just fine without the 100-degree heat from early-April to late-November.
Lariviere wouldn't concede wholly that KU would be his last professional stop, yet affirms that he can't see himself going anywhere else in the future.
The 56-year-old Lariviere, a self-proclaimed "work-nerd" said that KU students can expect him to "work really hard to give them the best education possible with the resources we have."
"I was the beneficiary of that type of education, and I know how important and valuable it is," he said.
"Shulenburger and Hemenway have put together a hell of an institution, and it deserves to be boasted about
and not just for Kansas,but the region as well."
Robert Lariiviere, new provost and executive vice chancellor
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Students, Faculty and Chancellor Hemenway,
Congratulations to the Jayhawks for selecting Richard Lariviere to be your Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor! I envy you for your future days, weeks and years that shall be spent sharing the blessings and good fortune of one among this Earth's classiest human beings. Dr. Lariviere exudes strong leadership (softly spoken), highest integrity, exemplary character, judicious wisdom and superior intellectual vigor. And to top off all that, few are more diligent regarding generosity and service to the community. He is the complete educator and citizen!
As the Provost strides along Jayhawk Boulevard or you encounter him in and around Strong Hall please extend him a warm welcome and hello. Nothing elaborate, nothing fawning or cheesy, just your personal greeting.
Richard Lariiviere will be deeply missed on the Forty Acres and beyond. There are folks in Texas and Longhorns around the world who have not yet come to realize how much he will be missed. Those of us who admired daily his legendarily good taste in suits, dress shirts and ties, as well as his engaging assortment of hats, will miss the smile that
came with the clothes and the man.
But more deeply, we will miss the comfort that accompanied the approach of a man most trustworthy, most hard-working, fearless, sharp, well-informed and wise. Kansans will gain the spoils of his intellectual verve and commitment to bettering education. Ironically, many will attend Longhorn and Jayhawk athletic competitions with heightened interest. I cannot help but think that we have lost a much more consequential, yet nonetheless friendly, competition to strive for academic excellence to KU. Your selection of Richard Lariviere as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor wins for the University of Kansas a significant boost in human and intellectual capital. His departure represents a significant loss for the state of Texas and the University of Texas. I salute you for your wisdom and good fortune! When you speak your plain hi or hello, please extend patience and understanding from the bottom of your heart. I promise you that my former boss, your first-class leader will not let you down. He's simply the best!
Sincerely,
Othell Ballage Jr.
Academic Advisor
University of Texas
.