 Mark Emmert, Ark Chin, and Emmert’s wife, DeLaine (Photo by George Liu/NWAW) |
People are mad at UW President Mark Emmert because he did not commit to staying at the University of Washington, said Ark Chin, former UW regent, at Emmert’s farewell reception at the UW on Sept. 9.
Although he was joking, Chin’s words actually ring true. When Emmert began his presidency at the UW six years ago, he said it would be his last job before he retires.
He said the same about Louisiana State University, according to Chin, a member of the search committee that led to the hiring of Emmert from LSU. Emmert initially turned the search committee down because he had to achieve what he had promised to do at LSU, said Chin. But the committee was relentless.
After waiting for a year and a half for Emmert to fulfill his LSU promise, a delegation was sent to LSU to convince Emmert, who eventually gave in.
The lesson for President Mark is: Never say no. Life’s journey meanders mysteriously and unexpectedly.
Ironically, the sad lesson for us is, after spending so much time, effort, and money on stealing him from LSU, we couldn’t keep him. ♦