Search committee should recall great pres. from past

The survey report that UA students seek an accessible President brought to mind one of the most accessible presidents our school has ever had, Rufus Von KleinSmid.

This president, affectionately known as "Prexy" to the undergads, worked very hard to relate to the students and involve them in the process of administration.

This was very different from the administration of the cold, arrogant President Babcock whom the students hanged in effigy.

President KleinSmid held weekly assemblies in which he addressed student issues and problems ranging from the food in the dining hall to smoking tobacco.

He invited students to his parties and threw parties for them.

He involved students in his inauguration, the most elaborate the university had ever seen.

It included a long parade of professors in heavy academic garb with the traditional hoods, receptions, and a pageant depicting the history of Arizona.

Students were involved in all facets of the event and hundreds of faculty, administrators and representatives from other colleges and universities attended.

Finally, and most importantly, President Von KleinSmid and his wife attended student functions and receptions.

His wife, an accomplished piano player, would also entertain at many of these events.

Von KleinSmid always pushed his theme, that to make the University of Arizona the greatest school in the nation.

He always extolled students to have pride in their school and to be involved.

His legacy resulted in the transformation of the University of Arizona in fact, in the minds of students, faculty and Arizona citizens.

We gained many new buildings and faculty, plus a nationwide stature and respectability.

As the search for a new university president continues, we might remember "Prexy" not only for his deeds, but as a role model for our the next president of our school.

By Kurt Cooper (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 28, 1997