WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
June 8, 2005
Former Ohio U. Provost Stephen J. Kopp Named MU President; Kopp Has Experience Working with Ohio Legislature
by Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington (HNN) – Described as 'the second worst kept secret on campus' by A. Michael Perry, chairman of MU board of governors, Dr. Stephen J. Kopp received his green jacket at noon Wednesday. He takes over July 1 as the university's president.
Kopp replaces Michael J. Farrell, who has served as interim president since Jan. 1, 2005. He has a three-year contract and will be paid $226,000 a year.
Farrell replaced Dr. Dan Angel, who was MU's president the previous five years.
| Stephen J. Kopp Named MU President Photos by Chris Spencer |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| View Photos |
|||
"I'm here because I can make a difference in the future of Marshall," Kopp told a gathering of media, staff and faculty in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Kopp told the gathering that the university has a "compelling future" and began his remarks with a reminder that "we will accomplish much more through collaboration than competition."
The 54-year-old former Ohio University provost stressed that a "promise for a better future" entails three components – hope, aspiration and commitment. Explaining that individuals own the future, he indicated that "every day you get up, you [must be] committed to fulfilling" the goals.
Kopp did not list specific goals suggesting that he will be meeting with community leaders and university leaders to shape the policies.
While at Ohio University, Kopp had experience working with the Ohio legislature. Del. Jim Morgan told HNN, "I hope he comes and allows us to introduce him around and that we can get together on solutions to problems."
Told that interim president Farrell made numerous Charleston visits, Kopp said, "I like the idea that Charleston isn't that far away. It takes that kind of presence to establish relationships and we need to establish a presence before we go there and say this is what we need."
Since MU has been hit hard by a series of budget cuts and tuition increases during the past years, Kopp plans to develop short and long term strategies which include asking ourselves "what we are doing today that may not be as essential as when we started it. Maybe some of those resources can be redirected to things that matter most for the future."
But even though West Virginia institutions receive more than 20 percent of their support from the state, the former special assistant to the chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, he emphasized that "we need a shared vision on what the future is and we need to convince the legislature that they are a vital part of the [higher education] vision."
Although it's too early to outline any specific priorities, he said that "we need to continue evaluating" our programs and at their "underlying assumptions." For instance, he asked: "Are we producing the results and outcomes we expect, and, if not, what can we do to change and how do we improve?"
In a previous interview, Kopp indicated that intercollegiate athletics had a high visibility for the school and student athletes should follow the values of the Marshall creed, which incorporates the elements of civility, responsibility, freedom of belief, ethical behavior, pluralism and vigilance to challenges. "I think it is a matter of holding everybody to the highest standard of conduct on and off the field of competition."
Recollecting his ten years as a coach of girl's softball, Kopp explained that he told these athletes "what they do and how they conducted themselves was doing to make a difference on how people viewed our community and what they thought about us. I told them they were to have the utmost commitment to high standards so when people through of our community, they thought in very positive terms."
Kopp went on to add, "We need to take ownership of that creed – every single student /athlete, every student, every faculty member, and every staff member. We all have to be committed." (You can read the Creed in full by clicking here PDF document ) Stating that during his candidacy for MU President, "the more I looked into MU, the more impressed I was," Kopp looks improve community and state support for the institution. "The support base, not just in Huntington but in the state as a whole, is a tremendously strong foundation for building a vibrant future … and helping the community and surrounding area improve the quality of life for West Virginians.".
