Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 27, 1994 TAG: 9404270115
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Since being hired in 1989 as the McComas administration's No.2 man, Carlisle has had a hand in revamping the university's core curriculum, its affirmative action hiring and its Phase II restructuring, the school's response to diminished state funding.
As Tech presidents, first the late James McComas and now Paul Torgersen, represented the university before legislators and alumni, Carlisle was responsible for many of the hands-on, day-to-day decisions dealing with faculty, programs and departments within the university.
"He has been incredibly supportive," Torgersen said. "When he does leave ... there will be a void." He said he wished Carlisle would stay another year or two as provost, but, "I have to honor his request."
As far back as last fall, Torgersen said, Carlisle began mentioning that he would like to return to teaching. The author of two books on American literature, he will leave Jan.1 for a semester-long sabbatical, then be named the William E. Lavery Professor, an endowed position, in August.
"He has had to manage the academic [side]," Torgersen said. "He's done so in a period of declining resources. Most all of the important questions, both inside and outside the university, Fred Carlisle and I have discussed together."
But at the same time, the rigors of the job - the tough, often controversial decisions - "do wear you down," Torgersen said. "You just get tired and it's kind of nice just to teach."
Carlisle formerly served as provost at the Miami (Ohio) University and assistant to the president and department head at Michigan State University.
He could not be reached for comment, but, in a news release, he said, "I have spent a significant portion of my career in administrative posts trying to help strengthen higher education programs at some of America's leading universities. However, I came to the academic world to teach, read and write books. Now it is time to return to that other life."
Tuesday, as memos were printed to inform faculty of the move, some professors reflected on Carlisle's leadership and style.
"I'm very disappointed. He's worked very closely with us and been very supportive of our efforts," said Wayne Worner, interim dean of the university's College of Education.
Worner, as did Torgersen and other faculty members, said he did not view Carlisle's decision as one that was forced upon him. "I think there was absolutely zero likelihood that that was the case," Worner said.
"I wish he would have stayed on through the transition process," Worner said. But Carlisle has earned the right to teach again, he said, and other professors said they respected his decision to move into their ranks.
Some portrayed Carlisle as courageous in his decision-making.
"He's been very cordial, a very good parliamentarian, very open and willing to work with the faculty," said David DeWolf, an engineering professor and president of the faculty senate.
Carlisle's philosophy and approach were not always agreed with, but, "that's true of anybody ... especially in times such as this when we're in a low resource period," said Rosary Lalik, president of the faculty association for the College of Education.
If he angered some within the university with his decisions, his emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism or his questioning of what defined education, Carlisle could not be faulted for lack of will or directness, they said.
"He forced people to justify what they did in terms of teaching," said BobO Denton, head of the communications department at Tech.
"In many ways, he was an outsider. He could have done things differently," Denton said. "Like most individuals, some [decisions] I agreed with, some I didn't. Some I think went too far too fast."
But in conversations with other professors at schools across Virginia, Denton found, "without exception, I was better informed. I had greater participation ... than any of my colleagues across the commonwealth" when it came to budget cutbacks on campus.
"He did bring genuine reform to Virginia Tech," Denton said. "He did the talk and he did the walk."
by CNB