Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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Make January 1 “Thank-You Erskine Bowles Day” by D.G. MARTIN We call this holiday New Year’s Day. But this year (2011) North Carolinians should celebrate Jan. 1 as “Thank-you Erskine Bowles Day.” Bowles’s effective service as President of the University of North Carolina (System) would be grounds enough to merit a special day of thanks. His steady hand, political skills, 18 hour-a-day work schedule and devotion to his state and to the institution he served helped pro- duce stronger, more responsive and focused higher education. Thanks to his efforts and example, the state universities better serve their hun- dreds of thousands of students and the millions of North Carolinians whose well being is affected by how the universities perform. Bowles systematically tackled a list of challenges, including pro- viding better prepared public school teachers, modernizing adminis- trative systems, building a culture of responsiveness in the university’s teaching and research activities and holding to North Carolina’s commitment to provide higher education at a low cost to its students. All these accomplishments are worthy of great praise. But what makes Bowles so important today is something more — much more. Over the years North Carolina gained the reputation as the “good government” state. Nobody claimed it was perfect, but we took pride in our relative scandal-free traditions. All that has changed. At least public perceptions have changed. For many people, politicians and public employees are anti-heroes who can expect more public scrutiny than praise. These perceptions do not help us persuade talented public-spirited people to offer themselves to serve in public office. On the other hand, Bowles’s career and example is a beacon that can inspire others to give their talents in public service. Those who follow that beacon should pay attention to some of the underpin- nings of Bowles’s service ethic. A long time ago Bowles told me that he had an answer for his wealthy contem- poraries who questioned his political commitment to programs that addressed the problems of the poor and underserved. He said that while his politics might not be in Erskine Bowles his direct economic interest, his children would be much better off in the future if the children of the poor have a better chance to succeed. His unselfish commitment, based on an understanding of the long-term best interests of his family, has inspired me ever since I first heard him explain his motivation. He is always careful to insist that the focus not be on him, but about the good work others do. That kind of deflection could come across as contrived and insincere. But not with Bowles For example, when Tom Ross was named Bowles’s successor a few months ago, it was apparent that substantial repair work would have to be done on the president’s home. In such cases, usually the new president of a university would have to delay moving until the needed work was done. Bowles, however, moved out of the house early, and made sure that the work would be finished in time for Ross to move before he formally took office. Not only the house, but also the office! When Ross came to Chapel Hill in early December to begin to prepare for his new job, Bowles moved his things out of the president’s office into a smaller one “down the hall.” He thought his successor would be better prepared to take over if some of the actual physical moving took place beforehand. In the closing days of office, Bowles might be expected to be building up his re- cord in order to secure his legacy. Instead, he used his platform to build up Ross, saying that his successor would be a much better president than he had been. We know that Bowles’s class act will be hard to follow. Let’s hope it will inspire others like him to serve. We need them. D.G. MARTIN, Columnist COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com DOUBLETREE HOTEL and Marquis Bistro • Full Service Hotel • I-95, Exit 49 • Conference Space • Luxurious Sweet Dreams beds • Flat Panel TV’s • Microwaves and Refrigerators • High-speed Internet • Full Service Spa Marquis Bistro with Fine Dining • Open For Breakfast & Dinner • Karaoke on Friday Evenings • Specializing In Indian Cuisine 1965 Cedar Creek Rd. • Fayetteville • 910.323.8282 • www.doubletree.com Let The Fayetteville Doubletree Hotel Be Your Destination To Remember! 14 UCW JANUARY 5-11, 2011 NEWS, VIEWS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 484-6200 NOW ONLINE! www.upandcomingweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM