GrizGuy said:
Sorry, but although I'm impressed by the general accomplishments of the finalists, I'm not a big fan of any of the candidates as leaders of UM. Mr. Bodner in particular, since you point him out, strikes me as an odd finalist. Leading as he has in the military is not at all the same as leading a public institution like a university. And the shift from his private-sector job to prez of UM seems like too big of a jump to expect him to have success for a great deal of time.. And I think the U needs some immediate, hit-the-ground-running success in enrollment and student satisfaction. He seems like a great guy. I'd love to hear some of his stories while sipping a beer with him. Great guy. But leader of this school at this time? I just don't see it.
If they pick him, naturally, I will wish him all the success in the world because the school deserves it.
How do you know what leading in the military is like? It's not just barking out orders anymore.
Finances, enrollment, student satisfaction are things that Bodnar would likely be good at immediately. Plus, he's a tech guy.
UM sorely needs someone who can read a financial statement, read and understand numbers, spot trends, attract the right leaders and people under him, make good decisions, create workable metrics. Bodnar would also be good at dealing with the athletic department. Probably the board of regents and state legislature too.
I find it interesting that some of you believe that academics, with only academic experience, are the only ones to do this. My view is that most academics are terrible at doing most of this. Not all; just most. Jeez, look at RE.
Bodnar was no. 1 in his class at West Point, both on the academic and non-academic side. A Rhodes Scholar. His wife is a Rhodes Scholar.
And Bodnar's wife is from Missoula and her dad is a UM professor. He's been to Griz games. What more could people on egriz want. Ha.
