March 19, 2013
As current and former members of the Emory Alumni Board or its predecessors the Alumni Council and the Board of Governors, we have had the opportunity to work closely with President Wagner over the span of his 9-year presidency. We know him to be a man of integrity and principle who continues to have our unwavering trust and full support as the leader of this university.
After several weeks of media attention and, more importantly, widespread campus dialogue, there is consensus that the 3/5 compromise reference was a misguided choice. Emory continues to be a community of passionate educators, students and alumni who have a vested interest in the collective goals and inherent beliefs of the university. All voices need to be heard, valued and respected.
To this end, we, as alumni, would like to lend our voice to the discussion. One article does not and should not define a person, his work or his legacy. President Wagner has sincerely apologized for the article and the pain, doubt and confusion that have ensued and we accept his apology. We have confidence in his leadership and in his commitment to diversity as an essential component of an ethically engaged learning community.
Emory is in a far better place today because of President Wagner’s vision and passion for the welfare of all its stakeholders. However, his work is not done. We must use this experience to foster and promote open and honest communication throughout the university and to effect positive change for the greater good of the Emory community. We must also allow him to return to the many issues that require his guidance and governance as well as our input and involvement. For Emory’s sake, let us help each other move forward.
Isabel Garcia 99L
Laura Durudogan 85C
Beverly Dew Allen 68C
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J. David Allen 67C 70D 75DR
Renelda E. Mack 83C
Ellen Agnor Bailey 63C 87B
Roy Leonard Martino 72C 76M
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Michael H. McDougald 52C
Gerald C. Becham 63G
Paul M. McLarty, Jr. 63C 66L
Clifford A. Bell 46OX 50C
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W. Moses Bond 59C
Chinonyerem Okezie 98OX 00C
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Warren I. Brook 70OX 72B
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Robert G. Pennington 74OX 76C 81B 81L
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William B. Cody
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Wendy Rosenberg-Nadel 82C
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Catherine E. Rudder 69C
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The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.
The Wheel is financially and editorially independent from the University. All of its content is generated by the Wheel’s more than 100 student staff members and contributing writers, and its printing costs are covered by profits from self-generated advertising sales.
Of these many names, only one is from someone who was still enrolled when Wagner’s administration implemented its program cuts, and only two were here when the SAT cheating scandal dropped. In fact, the vast bulk of people on this list haven’t been at Emory in the past fifteen years.
But I’m sure they’re deeply in touch with the sense of morale on campus.
“One article does not and should not define a person, his work or his legacy.”
Let’s not pretend the problem with Wagner is just about his one column praising the Three Fifths compromise.
After several weeks of media attention and, more importantly, widespread campus dialogue, there is consensus that the 3/5 compromise reference was a misguided choice.”
I don’t know where you people are, but you clearly haven’t been on campus. It didn’t take weeks of dialogue for people to deliberatively come to “consensus” about the article. There was immediate disgust.
Because it’s not just the “unfortunate choice” of the article. The article was an illustration of Wagner’s own attitude towards leadership – and by his own admission was about cuts to liberal arts programs at Emory. The gulf between him and faculty has widened to a chasm. He asked people to give back from their own salaries to donate to the school while giving nothing of his own. He has lost the respect and confidence of people whom he asks to lead, not just people he hits up for money and who don’t see past a dog-and-pony show. I mean, seriously – Wagner is a professional glad-hander who excels at schmoozing with donors – does anyone seriously expect alumni board members to have gotten anything but the best possible impression from him in their interactions? Or to backtrack after they’ve already spent years giving this clown money, and shilling for him to their friends?
It seems that in America, the only skill that people look for in a leader is charisma. Instead of debating what the person will do as a leader, people debate over whether the person is likable. There has been a lot of research recently that suggests introverts make better leaders, but most people would rather trust their gut instinct and choose a salesman.
Indeed. It is so silly and schoolyard to see how many people think that invoking Wagner’s pleasant personality somehow changes anything. If you search the New York Times for “Emory” you get nothing but negative stories – featuring him. If you Google Wagner’s name, all that comes up is damning. It’s not like his defenders can add a qualifier saying that “don’t worry, he’s a nice guy” to all of that. What he’s said and done has done serious damage to the university, and his personality and likability is totally irrelevant.
Most of these people graduated in the 60s and 70s. So, who cares what they think?