Lombardi
The Dean's Musings
This article was originally printed in the November 1999 issue of CLASnotes.
Sometime in the future a history will be written about the University of Florida, at which time the Lombardi years will be given a certain perspective. It's much too early now. JVL was too strong a character, and the memories are too intense for any detached evaluation at this time. Only the foolish would try. Such as a dean who served during all of Lombardi's term.
As anyone knows who met Lombardi for five minutes, he was a mercurial, charismatic leader. His style was not for everyone, but the vast majority saw in him a passionate, tireless advocate for UF, a president who did not cotton to those whose vision of UF was less demanding than his own. And his time in office brought indisputable proof of his success. This university has moved far beyond the UF of 1990, increasing its academic reputation, its public and private funding, and its output of superbly educated students. For this, Lombardi has to be given due credit. Presidents don't do all this by themselves, but they make it possible for others.
The Lombardi years were full of excitement, enthusiasm, and optimism, coupled with no small measure of controversy. The train was always pulling out of the station, heading for the next destination, and those who tarried were lucky to catch on to the caboose. For example, with very short notice, he broke the news about his universal computer mandate for students, to which colleges had to respond. We said, "No way, too soon, gotta be kidding." He said, "Do it."—So, of course, we did it, as he knew we would. It was the Lombardi way.
He also applied business principles to the operation of the academic enterprise, which many said was not possible, and it was certainly not easy. But easy was not JVL's style. If he believed in something, it was full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes. And when he found others not as enthusiastic about some of his ideas as he was, he could be "difficult." Well, actually, he could be downright unpleasant. But it was hard not to admire the deep passion that he brought to the job. No one fought harder for the University of Florida.
Lombardi was a president with national visibility. Active in many professional areas and touting high profile projects, he made the Chronicle, the New York Times, and other media. Usually for things we were pleased to read about, though not always. But the University of Florida, under his leadership, became known as a university where things were happening, an up-and-comer, one that Education-beat writers learned to follow with interest, which benefited UF greatly.
No president I have ever known, and I have known a few, was even close to Lombardi in communication with his constituencies. He had this chameleon-like ability to transform himself for the audience at hand, adjusting (but not basically changing) his message. And most went away as believers. Over almost a decade of listening to Lombardi speeches, I still admired his rhetorical skills. Standing in the back of a room, listening to one of his stemwinders for the umpteenth time, I could still find myself strangely moved by the message. John had a way of making the adrenaline flow, first in himself and then in others. A number of years ago I asked him to speak to a national meeting of Arts & Sciences deans, not the warmest, fuzziest of audiences. But he blew them away, of course, and no one ever forgot the experience.
Big shoes to fill. But there is no question in my mind that the next talented leader of UF is somewhere out there waiting to bring his or her new vision to this great university. The presidency of UF is a very attractive position for the right person, and the process of identifying candidates is under way. With the able and proven leadership of Interim President Charles Young, we are in good hands during the transition.
Now we wait with anticipation for that person who will build on the legacy of John V. Lombardi. And thanks, John, it was a hell of a ride.
Credits
Writer
Will Harrison, Dean
