"Jim has really been sort of a godfather to a lot of these projects," Frank
said.
From the evolution of the personal computer, to the navigation of the Internet, to the frontiers of virtual reality, the era of President James Duderstadt has been intertwined with the growing dependence and innovation of technological breakthroughs.
Randy Frank, director of the information technology and facilities for the Media Union on North Campus, said Duderstadt's strength in developing the University's technology comes from his willingness to challenge accepted norms.
"Jim has really been sort of a godfather to a lot of these projects," Frank
said.
Frank said that when Duderstadt came into office, many people at the University were complacent with the school's procedures and conditions. Frank said Duderstadt saw "potentially a very different environment" at the University, and was interested in "looking for what is on the horizon."
Frank said Duderstadt wanted to do more than just encourage the growth of technology.
"I don't see Jim as a total cheerleader on campus," Frank said. "He's been asking a lot of hard questions."
Engineering Prof. Brice Carnahan, who has been at the University since 1959, said Duderstadt's impact on the University's technology has been "substantial."
"He had a lot to do with the early development of mainframe computing," Carnahan said.
Like Frank, Carnahan said Duderstadt's strength in fostering technological growth stemmed from a strong ability to foresee changes that others missed.
"He (Duderstadt) saw these things coming long before other people took them seriously," Carnahan said. "In 1980, many people thought Apple Computers were toys. He didn't think so."
Duderstadt said that he is "not a technocrat," noting that his discipline in theoretical physics does not involve computers.
"I had a sense in the 1970s that this type of technology will have a strong impact on higher education," Duderstadt said.
"I recruited people to Michigan ... who really did understand the technology and could apply it."
Carnahan said the College of Engineering has benefited greatly from Duderstadt's influence.
"I believe the computing infrastructure here in the Engineering College is -- if not the best -- one of the top two or three in the country," Carnahan said.
Catherine Peponis, Engineering senior and president of the University of Michigan Engineering Council, said Duderstadt has helped provide the University with "technology you can't find anywhere else in the state," including "virtual reality things you're not going to see anywhere but here."
Peponis said the creation of the Media Union is a significant part of Duderstadt's history.
"People are very impressed with the Media Union and very excited about it," Peponis said. "It's really cool. They're very excited to get their hands on these things."
Peponis said students are not drawn to the Engineering school solely because of its technology, as that is only one factor among several.
Frank said it would be a mistake to think technology was having an impact solely on engineers.
LSA Dean Edie Goldenberg agreed.
Goldenberg said the word technology "can mean a lot of things."
She used the University's effort to digitize its papyrus collection as an example of how technology has benefited LSA.
"Humanists depend on archives and on objects which are far away," Goldenberg said. "This whole movement to information technology on campus has generally been to everyone's benefit.
"(Duderstadt) was way out ahead. Now we're facing a new world."
In Angell Hall, the sounds of grinding drills permeated through vacant, semi-demolished classrooms.
Throughout the Duderstadt administration, construction work has been as dependable a fixture as football Saturdays and the ringing of the Burton Memorial Tower.
But administrators say the long-term benefits will more than make up for the
lengthy noise and hassle.
"We'll have one of the finest environments for teaching and scholarship of any university in America," said President James Duderstadt.
Barbara MacAdam, head of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library, said the extensive construction work at the University shows Duderstadt to be a visionary.
"The president's role really is the person who holds the overall vision of where a campus needs to be going," MacAdam said.
"Presidents of any institution don't renovate or build structures for their own sake -- buildings are just a tangible representation of all the things you can't physically see."
The undergraduate library received an extensive face-lift on the outside, as well as new study rooms and internal wiring for computer hook-ups.
Other major work includes the renovation of University landmarks like the Michigan Union and Angell Hall. The construction costs approach $1.5 billion.
"Five years ago, I was very frustrated," Duderstadt said, referring to what he perceived as a financial climate that could stop further construction.
Duderstadt said the combination of lower interest rates, private donations and extra state funding allowed the University to enlarge the scope of the overhaul.
"We will have brought every facility on this campus into the 21st century," Duderstadt said.
Duderstadt said he wished the construction could have been done more incrementally, so that the upheaval wouldn't have been so inconvenient to students.
Students questioned on the issue said the constant construction has been a minor distraction.
"Irritation -- well yeah, it can get a little loud during class," said Engineering first-year student Trip Finnegan. "It does get a little congested between the (art) museum and the construction on Angell."
Finnegan said he hopes the construction will end soon, but added he appreciates the necessity of the work.
"Things have got to get built," Finnegan said.