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TechnographHerman: 'The answer is simple'
Chancellor addresses how to improve University
By Courtney Klemm
Posted: 11/9/05 Section: News
Chancellor Richard Herman focused on improving the University in a variety of areas during his speech at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., on Tuesday afternoon as part of the YMCA's "Know Your University" series.
"I ask you the question, why does a great institution strive to be better?" Herman said to his audience. "The answer is simple: because it is a great institution. Drive, ambition, yearning and an obsession with always being better are bred in a great institution. These are human traits that we breathe into our institution."
Herman was named the University's chancellor in May 2005 after serving as interim chancellor for a year. He first came to the University in 1998 as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Becca Guyette, program director for the YMCA, said she felt it was significant to have Herman speak as part of the "Know Your University" program.
"It's always important to get the perspective of the chancellor as chief operating officer of the University," Guyette said. "It's good to know what his visions for the University are."
Herman spoke about giving students a variety of opportunities as they complete their college experience.
"A life well-lived is about more than making a good living," he said. "I want our Illinois students to be touched by the widest range of insights. I want our Illinois students driving through life always creative."
Creation of knowledge breeds confidence, creates humility and fosters social justice and compassion, Herman said. He emphasized using "old-fashioned ideas for new-fashioned times."
"It's the vision, not the reward, of praise, hope and glory," he said. "Dreams unleash the imagination. We will always dream big to make our community, country and world a better place."
Attendees also asked about Herman's viewpoints and experiences of topics like traffic safety on campus, University employment and the current budget and tuition.
Herman discussed his recent program, "Illinois Promise," which makes it possible for poverty-stricken students to graduate with no debt. He also expressed concern at the tremendous burden placed on the lower middle class in terms of higher education costs.
"I ask you the question, why does a great institution strive to be better?" Herman said to his audience. "The answer is simple: because it is a great institution. Drive, ambition, yearning and an obsession with always being better are bred in a great institution. These are human traits that we breathe into our institution."
Herman was named the University's chancellor in May 2005 after serving as interim chancellor for a year. He first came to the University in 1998 as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Becca Guyette, program director for the YMCA, said she felt it was significant to have Herman speak as part of the "Know Your University" program.
"It's always important to get the perspective of the chancellor as chief operating officer of the University," Guyette said. "It's good to know what his visions for the University are."
Herman spoke about giving students a variety of opportunities as they complete their college experience.
"A life well-lived is about more than making a good living," he said. "I want our Illinois students to be touched by the widest range of insights. I want our Illinois students driving through life always creative."
Creation of knowledge breeds confidence, creates humility and fosters social justice and compassion, Herman said. He emphasized using "old-fashioned ideas for new-fashioned times."
"It's the vision, not the reward, of praise, hope and glory," he said. "Dreams unleash the imagination. We will always dream big to make our community, country and world a better place."
Attendees also asked about Herman's viewpoints and experiences of topics like traffic safety on campus, University employment and the current budget and tuition.
Herman discussed his recent program, "Illinois Promise," which makes it possible for poverty-stricken students to graduate with no debt. He also expressed concern at the tremendous burden placed on the lower middle class in terms of higher education costs.
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