Students look forward to Woodson’s arrival

Anticipation of new chancellor exhibits reactions

Caroline Barfield

Staff Writer

Earlier this month, Dr. Randy Woodson was announced as the University’s 14th chancellor.’ At his reception, Dr. Woodson directed a specific comment to students, ‘I am going to get to know you, and you are going to get to know me. There is no challenge, just opportunity.’

Students acknowledged this statement, and have formed their own opinions about the University’s new chancellor.

Mike Gust, a sophomore in middle school education with a specialty in science, believes that Dr. Woodson is the perfect chancellor-elect for the job since he came from a school academically similar to the University.

‘He is a highly qualified individual for the job and he’s obviously the appropriate choice since he’s coming from a school like Perdue,’ Gust said. ‘When he gets here his top priorities should be tuition and fees, especially involving Talley.’

Gust said he hoped Dr. Woodson could alleviate some of the excessive fees students pay while supplying as many educational opportunities as possible.

‘Hopefully he’ll be able to add more faculty so the university will be able to add more classes,’ he said.

Despite the challenges that lay ahead of the new chancellor, Gust believes that the chancellor will make a lasting impact.

‘I feel that Woodson’s impact will be a positive one and that he will create a stronger and more stable community for the Wolfpack,’ Gust said.

Patrick Bedsole, a junior in marine science, said, ‘Dr. Woodson seems like a swell guy.’ Fingers crossed he won’t take any bribes.’

Bedsole also believes that Woodson is the right choice for the University.

‘His agricultural experience and knowledge is fitting for a university such as ours.’ His prior research seems quite impressive. I hope that our university’s affinity for agriculture and hard science will continue to grow under Dr. Woodson’s guidance,’ he said.

Bedsole said he also thinks finances should be Dr. Woodson’s first priority.

‘Randy’s top priority should be getting less of a salary than the previous dude.’ Tuition increases make me sick when our chancellor’s raking in 400K as a figurehead. Also, this university needs to get its act together and get organized. We need to be students, not numbers,’ he said.

Dr. Woodson’s arrival has a large opportunity to impact not only undergraduate students but also graduate level students, according to Kelly Martin, a doctoral student in rhetoric and digital media.

‘If he accomplishes his goal of doubling research volume at the university then that should have a big impact on students, especially graduate students. It would provide extra funding and learning opportunities,’ she said. ‘He was Purdue’s chief academic officer so he has had a lot of experience working with a land-grant university.’

Martin, however, said that one of Dr. Woodson’s main goals should be convincing state politicians that funding universities is one of the best things they can do to keep’ the economy in North Carolina strong and growing.

She also said that the university has been continually improving but it would be good if Woodson could restore the reputation of the university’s top administrators.

Dr. Woodson assured the students at his reception that he would be around campus several times before he starts in May so he could begin to learn the students and the university.’