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March 2004

Delaney launches UNF on "journey of greatness"

John A. Delaney

After being inaugurated as the fifth president of UNF, John Delaney told the audience in the Fine Arts Center’s Lazzara Performance Hall that UNF is on a “journey to greatness,” which would be guided by four principles established by the University’s Board of Trustees.

The four principles he emphasized were: a commitment to excellence; a commitment to focus; a commitment to relevance; and a commitment to accountability.

“We at UNF must seek out our identity and unique potential and build on these,” Delaney said. “We are a distinct and amazing institution that must celebrate our individuality, seeking our own destiny.”

Delaney said UNF should focus on identifying select flagship programs, tied to the University’s strengths, which offer the greatest opportunity to provide leadership in the community and nationally.

“These will be in fields where we are demonstrably great or near great now and where we can advance the quickest,” Delaney said.

He mentioned the jazz program as one of these fields. Delaney also said the flagship programs can include areas of community need, such as nursing and teaching.
When he spoke about UNF’s commitment to relevance, Delaney highlighted several partnerships the University has formed in the community. He said one of these partnerships resulted in UNF receiving the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award from the Association of Teacher Educators for collaborating with the Duval County public schools on urban teacher professional development. Delaney said a partnership between UNF and eight area hospitals funded a program to increase the number of nurses graduating from UNF.

Early in his address, the former Jacksonville mayor made a tongue-in-cheek reference to an issue that came up when he applied for the president’s position. Speaking about UNF’s commitment to excellence, Delaney used quotes from “Peanuts” character Charlie Brown and Hall of Fame baseball player Yogi Berra to make a point. Delaney, who does not have a background in higher education or a Ph.D., said, “That’s as good as you get when you hire a non-traditional president who isn’t from academia.”

The line elicited laughter from the audience.

Delaney said one of the most enjoyable aspects of being president is meeting UNF students and alumni.

“I can tell you that every one — every single one — says that their educational experience here was a joy.”

Delaney talked about building a consensus on key issues in charting the University’s course over the next several years. To help build this consensus, he listed what he called nine elements that will be of critical importance. Attracting and recruiting quality faculty and quality students was at the top of the list.

The theme for the inauguration, which included a week’s worth of events, was Taking Flight. The theme refers to the University’s commitment to taking undergraduate and graduate degree programs to new heights.

Delaney joins Dr. Thomas G. Carpenter, Dr. Curtis L. McCray, Dr. Adam W. Herbert and Dr. Anne H. Hopkins as presidents of UNF.

Delaney’s investiture as president of UNF came at 11:04 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, when he was presented a ceremonial medallion by Carol Thompson, chair of the UNF Board of Trustees. Delaney’s wife, Gena, and their four children joined him at the podium for the investiture.

“What I’ve offered you today is a framework for a vision for the University of North Florida. A framework that will be collectively decided upon by all of us who love this university,” Delaney said.

Click here to visit our Inauguration Page