Last night, Virginia Commonwealth University named Michael Rao, sitting president at Central Michigan University, as its new president, replacing the outgoing Eugene P. Trani. In perusing news stories -- both here in Richmond and in the Central Michigan media -- I was struck by a couple of things, most notably by the dismissive tone of many of the comments in the news stories. It seems that there are a few folks in Michigan eager to see Rao move on, and at least of handful of VCU boosters in town who aren't too happy with his selection.
Until the local media digs a little deeper and provides the Richmond region with a better snapshot of the man who is going to be leading the region's largest university, largest employer and largest medical system, I thought I'd share a few of the comments populating the various Richmond and Michigan new sites.
Comments following the Times-Dispatch's story on Rao's appointment:
- In response to a quote from VCU student government president Jibran Muhammad -- "Replacing a man of Dr. Trani's stature is obviously a tall order" -- comes this quip from a Times-Dispatch reader, "So how tall is Rao? Being taller than Trani would be a short order."
- "The man is a professional administrator, obviously ambitious, with no teaching experience or track record as a scholar."
- "Of course, he was hired because of CMU’s outstanding School of Medicine! Oh, they don’t HAVE a medical school. Must have been because of their excellent dental school. Oh - they don’t HAVE a dental school. It must have been because of their famous pharmacy school. Oh - they don’t HAVE a pharmacy school. Oh well, I believe CMU does have a student health clinic."
- "Again, perfect for VCU, former President of community college with a history of being a political insider rather than a scholar."
- "Wow, what a perfect fit for VCU. He already has the right nepotistic spirit. Hiring his watercolorist wife as a University paid community liaison at WMU is just the kind of guy who the VCU governors can relate to."
Comments from readers of the Central Michigan Morning Sun News and the CMU campus newspaper:
- "As if what he sucks out of us isn't enough... Go, Rao! I know I don't want you to be at CMU anymore, and I know others who don't either. "
- "Oh, thank goodness, he's going away."
- "If Rao has in fact received this position VCU has chosen a very qualified candidate who has a proven track record during his time at CMU. In Rao's 9 years leading the university it has undergone radical improvements and changes including the completion of many campus beautification projects, new facilities and buildings, new cutting edge programs, the groundwork for a medical school, and of course (some) athletic excellence on our playing fields."
- "While it is sad to see Rao leave CMU, there is no question that he has made an awesome impact on the university. He will be a great gift to VCU and I will make sure my Virginia friends know it."
