News-Record.com

Linda Brady set out ambitious goals today after her formal installation as chancellor of UNCG.

These ceremonies are always impressive for their pomp and circumstance, the procession of dignitaries in academic robes, and the traditional symbols of institutional pride.

Today's event was dampened a bit, perhaps, by the wet, chilly weather. That might have accounted for several rows of empty seats in Aycock Auditorium.

Nevertheless, Brady laid out an agenda that, if fulfilled, will have a big impact on Greensboro and the university.

Despite the challenges of a weak economy that have forced some cutbacks since Brady took office last August, "This is the time for UNCG to be a leader," she said. "This is the moment. And higher education is the place to be in order to effect change."

Change is a constant, but Brady said the pace of social, political, demographic and economic changes requires UNCG accelerate its own transformation to keep up.

"I believe we must generate a new sense of urgency. We must not only respond to change; we must be agents of change."

It sounds as if she intends to force a quicker pace throughout the university. An example:

"We must provide new accelerated programs that will enable undergraduates to complete their coursework in less than four years; we will do so by building on emerging technology and our experience with distance education."

Less than four years? It makes sense when costs are rising and knowledge multiplies from one year to the next in cutting-edge fields.

Which explains the need to "expand our commitment to graduate education and continual learning ..."

The chancellor listed five strategic areas:

fostering access to education and student success;

fostering health and wellness;

leadership development;

becoming a catalyst for economic transformation, cultural expression and community development;

and, "UNCG will become a global university where sutdents, faculty and the community engage the problems of our times in a global context informed by international and intercultural experiences and perspectives."

The last arera is especially intriguing, although perhaps not surprising given Brady's State Department background in international diplomacy and negotiation. Success in those disciplines requires familiarity with the interests, history, culture and politics of international adversaries and partners.

It's ambitious. I haven't tended to think of UNCG as a national university, let alone a global university. But why not? When training students for success in a globally competitive economy, it's necessary to equip them with global perspectives. In serving as a catalyst for economic transformation in Greensboro, the university should help city leaders understand how the world around us is changing. Success already depends to a large extent on global interaction -- think how important multinational and foreign companies are today to Greensboro's economy -- and that will increase in the future. UNCG should become an institution that can help teach Greensboro and the Triad to understand the business, cultural and spoken languages of the world.

"Our role is, and will be increasingly, much broader and more complex," Brady said. "And we are faced with serious competitors in the United States and around the world. We must move forward faster and with greater agility."

Greensboro should encourage and assist UNCG in achieving these goals -- and get ready to go along for the ride.

Update: UNCG has just posted the text of Brady's remarks.

Another update: Scott Hoffmann's photos.