Thursday June 12, 2003 Online Since 1996 Vol. 77 No. 51

The Appalachian | News
Borkowski resigns as chancellor

By James Nix
Editor-in-Chief

Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
Francis T. Borkowski announced yesterday his plan to retire from his position as chancellor at Appalachian State University. Dr. Harvey Durham will postponed retirement to serve as acting chancellor. The search for a new provost has been delayed, pending selection of a new chancellor.


Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
Francis T. Borkowski announced yesterday his plan to retire from his position as chancellor at Appalachian State University. Dr. Harvey Durham will postponed retirement to serve as acting chancellor. The search for a new provost has been delayed, pending selection of a new chancellor.
      Dr. Francis T. Borkowski announced Wednesday his plans to retire from his position as chancellor of Appalachian State University effective June 30.
    Borkowski said he plans to return to Appalachian after a one-year sabbatical leave and teach in the School of Music.
    “It seems to me prudent and in the best interest of the university for a new chancellor to be selected,” Borkowski said Wednesday. “I’m sure that one will be who will keep the momentum going, who will build upon the base of tradition and history of this terrific university.”
    The chancellor’s announcement came after a four-week medical leave to receive treatment for a “longstanding, inherited medical problem.”
    Borkowski said his doctors told him he was in excellent health and well prepared to resume his responsibilities at Appalachian.
    “I am very, very pleased with the outcome of the treatment I received,” Borkowski said.
    However after treatment, Borkowski said he felt the best course of action was to retire.
    Dr. Harvey R. Durham, the acting chancellor during Borkowski’s leave, will continue on as interim chancellor until a new chancellor can be found.
    Durham announced his retirement as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs last year and had planned to leave office at the end of the month.
    “I think everybody believes [Durham] is the best choice to lead the university at this time,” Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dr. Gregory S. Blimling said. “He has our full support and we will do everything we can to make him successful.”
    “This is to Appalachian’s good fortune that [Durham] has agreed to accept the responsibilities during this interim period,” Borkowski said.
    Durham said while he has no agenda other than continuing what the administration has done in the past he is open to any initiatives the Appalachian community presents him.
    The Board of Trustees will soon start a search committee for a new chancellor.
    The search for the new provost is on hold until a new chancellor is appointed, Durham said.
    Borkowski said he does not anticipate any administrative problems during the transition phase.
    “We have a good team in place,” he said. “They work well together in a collaborative way. They trust each other; they’re loyal to one another and I think that’s going to continue.”
    “Change is always a little bit unsettling, but we’re in a really good position,” said Dr. Paul H. Gates, chairperson of the Faculty Senate. “The people who are still going to be here will pick up and carry us forward.”
    Borkowski said he is looking forward to being on campus as a full-time faculty member and working with the students. He will be on campus over the next year to attend athletic and cultural affairs events.
    During his year off Borkowski said he will still participate in musical performances, as well as do some writing.
    “It has been a very satisfying, exciting period and I feel blessed to have been here for the last 10 years,” Borkowski said.
    Borkowski came to Appalachian State in 1993 after serving five years as the president of the University of South Florida.
    Prior to the his USF stint, he served as executive vice president and provost at the University of South Carolina.
    Borkowski was Appalachian’s fifth chancellor.		  
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