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[00:00:00.78] - Change is hard. And stepping down from the presidency of Salisbury University is one of the most difficult changes that I've ever undertaken. For 18 years, all of you-- the students, faculty, and staff of Salisbury University-- have cheered me on, inspired me, frustrated me at times, surprised me, taught me, made me laugh, and maybe sometimes even made me cry. But I've never regretted one moment of my time here on campus.
[00:00:29.57] You know, the college presidency, it's a pretty tough gig. You have to run what is basically a 24-hour-a-day city, help to give our students the very best academic and social development experiences, serve the needs of faculty and staff as the second-largest employer in our region, be a tough budget expert, a disciplinarian when called for, and an enthusiastic salesperson. You know, we have to be good neighbors and a collaborative member of the State and the University System of Maryland, and, you know, I could go on.
[00:01:00.01] No one can accomplish all of these things by themselves. And I've been really fortunate to have such strong and dedicated students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other supporters who help make this university the best it can be in every aspect of our operations. So there's little that I can say, really, to wrap all this up except-- thank you. Thank you all for the support, the camaraderie, the hard work, the laughs, the rich experiences, and yes, even the challenges that have come to me as your president. I'll miss most of it.
[00:01:36.70] But I look forward to the discovery that awaits me as I take on the challenge of not being a university president. And I know that too will bring challenges of its own. I look forward to seeing many of you on and off campus in the years to come, and I'm excited about the prospect of embracing my own continuing education and lifelong learning.
[00:01:58.67] So again, I thank each and every one of you for all you do to make Salisbury University a Maryland University of National and increasingly international Distinction. So I'm not going to end with adiós, but hasta luego. And best wishes to everyone associated with Salisbury University as we prepare to welcome incoming President Charles Wight.