Larry Penley, one of five finalists for the UNM presidential position, challenged students, faculty and staff Thursday to raise the University's national and international reputation by continuing to enrich the local and state communities.
"UNM is an institution with an enormous future ahead of it," Penley said to a group of about 15 people in the Willard Reading Room. "It's a better institution than the rankings in publications like U.S. News and World Report say it is."
Penley made short presentations and took questions during four forums. He was the second presidential candidate to visit campus following Louis Caldera, who spoke at UNM Tuesday.
If selected president, Penley said he would address two major concerns: the development and implementation of a strategic research agenda and resolving the disjuncture between K-12 and higher education in New Mexico.
"UNM must identify what it's very best at, what drives the University's economy and understand and celebrate what it is deeply passionate about," he said.
Penley, 54, has been the dean of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University since 1991, where he also was department chairman from 1985-1991. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio from 1975-1985 and was a visiting professor in Valencia, Venezuela in 1977.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Fundraising was a major goal for Penley at ASU. He helped bring more than $110 million into the W.P. Carey School through gifts and capital campaigns.
UNM law students asked Penley questions about the role and future of affirmative action in higher education.
"It's going to become a challenge," Penley said. "I'd like to make UNM a destination for minority students from New Mexico and from other states as well."
The most recent data, Penley added, has shown that many students who graduate from New Mexico high schools go on to college elsewhere.
"That, to me, is a very bad indicator," Penley said.
Other audience members asked Penley if he would be able to live up to some of the moral standards set by UNM President Chris Garcia, who was chosen for the position by groups with divergent opinions.
"I believe I can," Penley said. "Despite my obvious interest in business, I believe that what we are as human beings is celebrated best through fine arts."
Aaron Ezekiel, manager for information services for the general library system, asked Penley about UNM's capital planning policy for infrastructure and information technologies.
"Information technology is absolutely essential," Penley said.
Penley added that businesses that began relying heavily on IT in the early 90s are reaping the benefits now. At ASU, Penley said, he was able to help integrate IT into the curriculum through programs such as e-learning.
"It goes back to community involvement for leaders," Penley said. "People want to give their money to an educational institution that is going to be successful."
Ezekiel said he was very impressed with Penley.
"He has obviously addressed that issue [information technology] before," Ezekiel said. "I'm encouraged by the fact that he's had some success. Dealing with tough issues like that - that's a big part of the president's job."
