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February 2, 2007
Dear RISD Student,
I am going to relate a personal story that has an important conclusion for RISD and for me. Last summer I was approached about an important position for which my candidacy was being sought. During the interviews that followed, I also began to think of where I was in my career path, as we all do from time to time. While I was not successful in that candidacy, I realized through the scope it offered, that there were other avenues of professional opportunity that I wanted to explore before my career path ended. In talking with RISD Trustees in the late summer, I began to make them aware of the potential that someday I might move on to new challenges.
Over the nearly fourteen years I have been at RISD, it has been my delight to participate with so many wonderful people in our creative community around the world (the sun never sets on RISD’s empire of creativity!). We’ve transformed RISD into the most exceptional institution that has affected the lives of legions of students and graduates, museum visitors and members of the public. Our programs and facilities are the envy of all other art schools, and soon will be among art museums of our size. Our capital campaign has brought us many more resources and supporters, and we are poised for the future in many new ways.
Thus it seems the right time to announce that I will not seek reappointment when my current contract ends on July 31, 2008. The eighteen months in between now and then will permit the college to complete the strategic planning we’ve now begun, and to prepare appropriately to attract the best possible successor as president.
As my “last act” as president, I am committed to working with the RISD community on four major goals: to complete the academic and museum plans, to implement the structurally balanced budget concept, to improve the transparency and decision-making process of governance at RISD, and to secure our development and admissions efforts. Using the NASAD/NEASC report and our own self-study as a basis, we will prepare a foundational prospect for RISD’s future.
I love RISD and adore the people who comprise our dynamic community here and abroad. I am certain to enjoy my remaining time at the school, during which we’ve all got much to accomplish. And I will cherish the memories that these then fifteen years will have provided for my family and me. We have so many good RISD friends for which to be grateful.
Thank you, everyone, for the support you’ve provided for my vision of RISD’s greatness, and thanks for the efforts we have yet to make together to increase its potential!
Sincerely,
Roger Mandle, President
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