At his final regents meeting last June as University president, James Duderstadt presented Homer Neal with a gag gift to help him ease into his new position: a yellow foam gavel.
Yesterday, Neal brought back the gavel as he presided over his final regents meeting as interim University president.
"This is the last time I'll be sitting in this chair," Neal said. "In February, you'll have a new president and we are coming to an end of this part of the journey.
"It's been quite an honor to be able so serve your alma mater during a period of transition."
Neal shared several key observations about the state of the University, followed by a five-minute video presentation humorously summarizing his time spent as president.
"The identification of our shared values is something we need to get people together to talk about," he said. "We also need to pay attention to the level of students who are poor. There is a strong correlation between students with academic problems and financial problems."
Neal spoke nostalgically of the many memories he will take with him after he steps down in February.
"Jeannie and I will remember a lot of little things," he said. "You don't often have an opportunity to walk around the president's office in your house slippers with Sandra Day O'Connor, or having students over for Thanksgiving dinner.
"Those will always be embedded in our memories," he said.
Neal's seven-month tenure as president began last July and is scheduled to end Feb. 1, when President-select Lee Bollinger will begin his term as the University's 12th president. Previously, Neal held the post of vice president for research, a position he had held since 1993.
The regents presented Neal and his wife, Jean, with a plaque of appreciation for the work the couple has done for the community.
"With admiration and deep gratitude for their numerous contributions to the University, and particularly for the insights and solid leadership they have provided during the period between the administrators of Michigan's 11th and 12th presidents, the regents extend their congratulations and best wishes to Homer and Donna Jean Neal," said Regent Rebecca McGowan (D-Ann Arbor) in presenting the plaque.
Jean Neal has been active with the Washtenaw County Advisory Board of the United Negro College Fund and the Ann Arbor Women's City Club.
Regent Phillip Power (D-Ann Arbor) gave high praise for Neal's leadership during the period of transition.
"I don't think this University could've been better served than with the grace, dignity, warmth and integrity which you brought to delicate matters of continuity," Power said.