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| Borkowski’s leave comes
in midst of change |
Jessica Hines
Associate Editor
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He’s stood
beside us through some rough times, times of war, times of
terror, times of economic uncertainty.
He’s also shared our good times, and provided a friendly,
recognizable face for students over the past 10 years.
Dr. Francis T. Borkowski will be missed.
It’s obvious that Borkowski loves the students of Appalachian
State University. It’s obvious by the way he lights up
around students. It’s obvious by his wishes to teach
at Appalachian in the near future.
At last football season’s Black Saturday game against
Furman University, Borkowski made an appearance to the students
in the stands. Cheers to ‘Frank’ were soon replaced
with wild ovations as Borkowski—in a move that only be
compared with Superman—ripped open the front of his button-down
shirt to reveal a Black Saturday T shirt. That display made
it obvious to me that Borkowski loves his students.
After 10 years at Appalachian State University, and a 34-year
career in higher education administration, Borkowski stepped
down from his position.
There is no question that the university Borkowski saw in
1993 is not the Appalachian State University we know today.
From personal experience, the campus I knew three years ago
is almost gone. A massive solarium now overshadows the Frisbees
on Sanford Mall. Hardin Street stretches to twice its previous
size. The park at Edwin Duncan Hall is non-existent, replaced
by a massive science building. No longer will students line
up outside the Parking and Traffic trailer, and soon Watauga
College students will call west campus home.
We’ve seen a lot. The basketball team found a new home
court, the football team made national headlines and cross
country swept championships. Terrorism struck home, MTV took
over and many students agreed with Eric.
Since I’ve only been here for about one-third of Borkowski’s
administration, I can just imagine the things he has seen
since he came to Appalachian from a 5-year presidency at the
University of South Florida.
The future holds many questions, as the university enters
a massive growth spurt.
The campus undergoes a long-term facelift, courtesy of bonds,
fees and fundraising efforts. (Imagine how hard it is to decide
on where to have dinner, then imagine what it’s like
to have thousands of people arguing over who will pay for
improvements).
The university will also expand its family, with enrollment
figures expected to plateau at 13,800 by 2012.
No one said it’s going to be an easy job. It’s going
to be tough. Being settled in a mountain valley doesn’t
provide much room for growth—or at least without losing
what we hold dear.
More people mean more cars, and more cars mean more parking
demands. Those students need a place to sleep and study, and
they need professors to teach them. Those professors need
classroom space. At the same time, the mountains and streams
beg not to be cleared and paved, and the students beg for
social lives.
Within the next decade I’m sure I won’t recognize
my alma mater. But I am sure I will be impressed.
Appalachian State University is moving forward, and our “family”
will need strong leadership to see us through the process.
We need a chancellor that understands that the university
is here for the primary mission of educating students. We
need a chancellor that can be a part of the “team”
of worthy administrators, faculty and staff here at Appalachian
State.
We need a chancellor who respects the students as young adults
about to make their mark on the world, and not as children
that need to be scolded for a faux pas or patronized for their
inexperience.
We need a friend in high places.
If we can’t keep Borkowski as our friend in a high place,
I implore the administration to find someone we can love and
respect as much as Chancellor Borkowski. |
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