Special Section: Homecoming 2012 - Friends University

Becoming our 21st-Century SelfThe Inauguration of Friends University’s13th President, Dr. T.J. ArantCompiled by Kate Bosserman, M’12Photo by Steve RasmussenFriends University’s 13th president, Dr. T.J. Arant, was installedat 2 p.m., March 30, in the Garvey Physical Education Center’sgymnasium by Rodney Pitts, chair of the Board of Trustees.“As you assume the duties as the 13th president of FriendsUniversity, we pledge our support to you,” Pitts said. “Underyour leadership and with the commitment of faculty, students,staff and alumni, we will work together to fulfill its mission.”Teacher, Leader and VisionaryDr. Arant is a teacher at heart who brings 30 years of experiencein higher education. He was unanimously selected by theFriends University Board ofTrustees to become the University’s13th president andtook office July 1, 2011.He previously served asexecutive vice president andprovost at Mount Olive Collegein North Carolina. Heearned a doctorate in Englishfrom Duke University, aPhoto by Steve Rasmussenmaster’s in English from theDr. Philip Kerstetter, president of Mount University of North Carolina,Olive College, helps Dr. T.J. ArantChapel Hill, and a bachelor’sprepare for the installation ceremony.from Vanderbilt University.“This is a happy day,” said Dr. John Lewis, Board of Trusteesmember.” As [Friends University’s] 13th president, Dr. Aranthas been entrusted with furthering the mission of the University,sustaining and nurturing an environment of excitementin learning, and demonstrating care for the individual studentswho choose to make Friends their home.”Nancy Artaz, administrative assistant in the Registrar’s Office,welcomed Dr. Arant on behalf of Friends University’s staff. Sheshared that as a presidential candidate, he was candid and did notpretend to have all of the answers. When stopping by the Registrar’soffice to say, ‘Good morning,’ he validated the purpose andimportance of staff. When sharing a childhood story, he illustrateda person, who at a young age, took initiative, worked hard, made acommitment, and believed in his end result.“Those are characteristics of leadership that are not taught,but are realized by experience,” Artaz said.Dr. Michelle Robertson shared remarks faculty membersmade during the presidential search, including that Dr. Arant“sees that academics are the core of the institution and thatgrowth in the future must stem from it.” And “he clearly hasexpertise to lead the development of new academic vision.“It’s remarkable that now – a year later and eight monthsinto his tenure – those initial impressions ring true,” Dr. Robertsonsaid. “In fact, I find it hard to believe they were notmade recently, as they easily could have been.”Dr. Robertson,associate professorof marriage andfamily therapy andclinical coordinator,Friends University Board of Trustees chairRodney Pitts congratulates newly installedpresident Dr. T.J. Arant.Photo by Steve Rasmussenwelcomed Dr. Aranton behalf of facultyas the faculty senatepresident.“On this specialoccasion,” Dr. Robertsonsaid, “let uscelebrate our extraordinarycommunityand the possibilities for our future under the competent leadershipthat Dr. Arant brings.”Authentic Resonance“I am honored,” Dr. Arant said, “by the trust the Board has inme and by the spirit of fellowship and collegiality that has en-14F R I E N D S U N I V E R S I T Y focus