Chancellor’s retirement is a dear loss to the students
COMMENTARY
Chelsea Hudson

I remember that dreadfully hot June day when I received a phone call from the chancellor’s office requesting my presence at a meeting. Just as I arrived, a flood of faculty and staff were leaving the chancellor’s office. I have never seen a group so somber. I remember a woman looking at me saying, “He will be missed beyond understanding.”

For a moment, my heart stopped because I thought the unthinkable had happened and that the chancellor had passed away, but then he stepped in the doorway with a gentle smile to greet me. I have never felt so happy to see my chancellor as I did at that moment.

We sat in his office and he crossed his hands and looked me in the eye and told me that he would be at TCU one more year and then retire. At that moment, I could feel the tears beginning to well up as I tried to articulate how much he had done for TCU. But, Chancellor Michael Ferrari, being the kind person he is, smiled and looked me in the eye and spoke a thousand thoughts without uttering a word.

In him I saw that TCU would be fine and that his time here had come to an end, but that another would soon arrive to carry on a new legacy and create new paths for TCU.

What makes Chancellor Ferrari special is that everyone in the university is a part of his vision. He makes us all feel we are an integral part of TCU’s success. He approved the creation of the Staff Assembly, which allows the staff to have a voice in the administration. Chancellor Ferrari believes in all people. He values what everyone has to offer. I have met with departments from all over the campus. Everyone feels appreciated by this man. Whenever he visits any group on campus, be it faculty, staff or students, he always carries a yellow notepad to take notes. He is a listener. He never fails to ask questions. He is a true life-long learner.

He has a magical way of sharing a vision that will undoubtedly evolve into reality. Texas Christian University has risen to higher levels of distinction during Chancellor Ferrari’s tenure. Our campus is undergoing several renovations that will undoubtedly place TCU on the map. We have received an endowed history chair during Chancellor Ferrari’s time at TCU. This is the only endowed history chair in Texas. Ferrari has also helped our university’s awareness on diversity. Programs like the Community Scholar’s Program are helping TCU to be a more diverse place.

Scholars and great leaders dedicate their whole lives to learning the definition of leadership. I feel privileged to have learned what leadership is by one man. To know Chancellor Ferrari is to know the essence of leadership. TCU was blessed to have had him enter our campus, our classrooms and, most importantly, our hearts. It is Chancellor Ferrari’s leadership that should be celebrated in the classroom.

Chelsea Hudson is a senior political science major from Plano.