Carol Cartwright

Dr. Carol A. Cartwright becomes 10th President of BGSU

Inspiration often comes from unlikely sources. When Dr. Carol A. Cartwright was looking for inspiration for her State of the University address earlier this year, she found it at an event in Kobacker Hall.

The inspiration came from Benjamin Zander, the famed music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (see related story, page 26). His message–through a dynamic presentation, not a musical performance, oddly enough, struck a chord with her on that cold January day.

Zander’s message of seeing the possibilities in one’s self and in an organization was the theme she needed to help define the University’s current situation.

Cartwright, who had been serving as BGSU’s interim president following the departure of Dr. Sidney Ribeau last summer, was soon to be the University’s 10th president. BGSU faced challenges, but Cartwright was firmly convinced that the possibilities for the University’s future were promising.

The title of the State of the University address she gave on Jan. 30 was “The Promise of Possibility.” It was a busy day for Cartwright. In addition to delivering an enlightening and inspiring message about Bowling Green State University’s future, she was also installed as the institution’s first woman president  in its nearly 100-year history.

Recently, Cartwright reflected on her decision to accept the Board of Trustee’s invitation to become the next president of BGSU. “I’m a person who has always had a passion for the mission of public higher education,” she said. “I’ve spent more than 40 years of my life working in public higher education and  I was raised in a way that created a very strong sense of duty and  a very strong work ethic. When the Board asked if I would come here for one year to replace Dr. Ribeau, my sense of duty kicked in.”

John Harbal ’72, board chair, quickly recognized Cartwright’s presidential potential last fall. “There was no doubt in my mind when she first arrived on campus that she was the right person at the right time,” he said. “She demonstrated her unique leadership abilities right away. She is decisive and positive and consistent in her approach. I knew that her high level of visibility on campus, in the Bowling Green community, in the region and in Columbus, would help our University earn the respect it deserves.”

Cartwright’s experience in leading public universities is unmatched in Ohio. For 15 years she served as president of Kent State University, a position from which she retired in 2006. She also had served as vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of California and dean for undergraduate programs at the Pennsylvania State University. But, by her own admission, she was nearing the end of a long and successful career.

Almost immediately upon her arrival on campus last summer she was asked by the Board to extend her stay. She declined the first offer, and then the second.

However, things were changing rapidly on the BGSU campus. Retirements and promotions within the University administration created a difficult set of circumstances, which meant several top positions were being filled on an interim basis.

The board approached Cartwright with one more offer in January. “My sense of duty really kicked in this time, and it became almost a given what I had to do,” she said. “I knew BGSU needed to send a strong signal that it had a fully engaged leader and was moving forward. After a serious talk with my husband about ending my retirement, I gladly accepted.”

The appointment of Cartwright as president of BGSU has resonated throughout Ohio’s higher education community. Ohio University President Roderick McDavis has worked closely with Cartwright on public higher education issues in the state. “Dr. Cartwright is thoughtful in her approach, open and respectful of the various ideas and conversations that are inherent in academic culture,” said McDavis. “She also understands what it takes to make important decisions to ensure the future success of an institution.”

Bruce Johnson ’82 is president and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio (IUC), representing all 14 state universities in Ohio. “Dr. Cartwright is a previous chair of the IUC and we know her well,” said Johnson. “She will raise the status of innovative teaching at Bowling Green State University, insist upon excellence and lead by example.”

It is clear that Cartwright is good at many things, but hiding her excitement about the future of BGSU is not one of them. “This is a challenging time,” she admitted, “but I am confident that the University will play a vital role in the economic recovery of the region and the state. It’s more important than ever to understand, as Ohio does, that higher education is the key to economic viability. BGSU will strengthen its role in the region with the exciting things being discussed in our strategic planning process, including the Centers of Excellence we are establishing. The centers will allow us to push our expertise in the arts, educator preparation, health and wellness, leading and managing high performing organizations, and perhaps sustainable energy into the regional community.”

“The current budget situation is a complicated balancing act, but we’re thinking our way through it in a very careful and organized way,” Cartwright continued. “We have a talented team of leaders with the skills to work our way through a challenge and emerge stronger. We also have a strong array of programs and a mission that is committed to student success.”

Cartwright is especially excited about the deep conversation emerging about the entire undergraduate experience. “We will soon be able to present new students with a road map of all of the requirements, opportunities and high-impact practices that will be made available to them. It will all add up to a world-class, coherent undergraduate experience.”

According to Cartwright her pockets have always been filled with coins of optimism and no matter how many coins she has spent over the years, the supply has been constantly replenished.

In closing her State of the University address in January, she set a clear, positive tone for her presidency. “It seems the more optimism you use, the more you have for another time. And so it is with power–the more you share, the more you have to make positive change. Today I pledge to share the power of engaging in change leadership–the power of thinking forward. Together, we will work toward the promise of possibility.”

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