Somewhere in his reading of Robert Frost's poem, "Spring Pools," may lie the essence of Lee Bollinger, the next University president.
When the Board of Regents officially welcomed him yesterday as the 12th University president, Bollinger read the poem with his note-worthy intellectual inspiration. His self-described deep, "intelligible and consequential" love for the University shone through Frost's words - words the American poet wrote while living in Ann Arbor.
"I would like to think that today is at least my 'spring pool,' and with Frost's exquisite sense of poignancy, I want to say to the inevitable burdens and cares of the years ahead, 'Let them think twice before they use their powers,' 'to bring dark foliage on,'" Bollinger said.
"I am grateful to you and the University for giving me this opportunity to serve the University of Michigan," Bollinger told the regents as he expressed his desire to serve the public through the University.
In a short, but poignant comment at the board meeting, Regent Laurence Deitch (D-Bloomfield Hills) said "welcome home" to Bollinger, a former University Law School dean.
Bollinger, who was joined at the regent's table by his wife, Jean Magnano Bollinger, said he expects to begin serving in February or March, contingent on when he can leave Dartmouth College, where he now serves as provost.
Bollinger agreed to an initial five-year contract and a first-year salary of $275,000.
"It's a great day," said Anne Knott, who served as assistant Law School dean for development and alumni relations when Bollinger was Law School dean here. Knott was one of about 200 people who joined Bollinger at a public reception yesterday afternoon.
"The level of excitement at his return and the promise that it holds for this University is tremendous," Knott added. "He's a very special person."
Emotions ran high yesterday as the regents officially concluded the process of selecting the next leader of the University. The emotional search process, which has included tearful speeches from regents and tense courtroom rulings, came to a close as Bollinger and his wife stepped up to the regents' table.
"I feel good that it's over, but the reason I feel good is because we made a great decision," said Regent Andrea Fischer Newman (R-Ann Arbor). "This community in the past week has been so excited."
Lee Bollinger's qualities of integrity, thoughtfulness and accessibility will spread through all the University's constituencies, said assistant Law School Prof. Heidi Li Feldman, who uniquely knows Bollinger as both a student and a faculty member.
"The combination of qualities that Lee has is going to be very effective in doing good for the University," said Feldman, who also was a Law School student when Bollinger was dean.
"What I noticed is that as a student he was accessible if you had something important to talk about. He was the same way with me as a faculty member," Feldman said. "That sort of consistency makes for a good University president."
As president, Bollinger said he will work to instill a sense of historical pride in the University, be accessible to students and restore vitality in the deans.
While Bollinger didn't outline any specific initiatives, he said rebuilding an executive officer team and focusing on the University Hospitals will be two initial priorities.
During a news conference yesterday afternoon, Bollinger said he will stay connected to students even with his hectic schedule. He plans to teach a class on the First Amendment and will hold open office hours for anyone who wants to talk to him.
"It's incredible the number of students who take advantage of that," Bollinger said, adding that he also would "try never to turn down an invitation from a student group to speak to them."
Bollinger said he also will work to promote public recognition and awareness of the University's history. "I think public institutions lose too much of their history," Bollinger said. "That's something to work on."
During his public interview two weeks ago, Bollinger noted that Robert Frost was a poet-in-residence at the University, but few people know that he lived on Washtenaw Avenue or conceived of some of his most well-known poems while living in Ann Arbor. Bollinger talked again yesterday about placing a statue of Frost on campus, but said the statue is just one way to instill a sense of pride in University history.
Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose, who was part of a social dinner for Bollinger during his campus visit as a candidate, said the dinner introduced her to the inspiration that emanates from the University's future leader.
"I gained from that dinner a glimpse into real academic excellence and also an incredible ability to make people dream," Rose said. "He saw the possibility in education and it was moving."
Rose also noted the importance of Bollinger's wife, Jean, who accompanied the future president throughout the day. She is an artist and a founder of the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum.
"She is an equally important part of this presidential package," Rose said, adding that she hopes Jean Bollinger serves as an advocate for the arts and humanities on campus.
Chemistry Prof. Thomas Dunn, chair of the faculty's governing body, praised Bollinger's ability to "seize the moment" and his courage to stand by his beliefs.
"The University has to try to take risks. That's what it's all about," Dunn said. "I think Lee Bollinger has shown the capacity to do that."
Chatting with excitement, people at yesterday's reception all had different reasons - both professional and personal - for their anticipation about Bollinger's return to Ann Arbor.
"Lee Bollinger is a mensch who understands that problems are not obstacles to be eliminated but opportunities to better define the culture of the institution," said Hillel Director Michael Brooks.
The line of people who waited to either meet Bollinger yesterday or welcome him back showed what Newman told Bollinger at the board meeting.
"Everyone is so excited that you're coming," Newman said. "Coming back."
WARREN ZINN/Daily
The 12th University president, Lee Bollinger, chats with Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose and Vice President Probir Mehta at a public reception in the Michigan Union yesterday. Bollinger was formally approved by the University Board of Regents yesterday afternoon to serve as the next University president.