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We read all 11 pages of John Engler’s farewell speech memo so you don’t have to.
The single-spaced "Communication from the President" to Dianne Byrum, Michigan State University's board chair, is a performance self-evaluation on steroids. It specifies in minute detail why the former governor is "proud to have played a key role in preparing my school to welcome a new president.”
It’s a parting response, in effect, to critics – including students, faculty, alumni, politicians – who see Engler as an insensitive, arrogant and divisive interim successor to Lou Anna Simon.
Engler acknowledges no missteps in the lengthy tribute to himself, which enumerates "the many changes we have made."
First of the 11 pages sent Wedsnesday evening.
Twenty-five bulleted points on Pages 2-4 list 22 actions "to initiate culture change at MSU on issues of safety, accountability and respect." That’s followed by 84 more bullets detailing “additional highlights of my one year as president." Yes, seven dozen.
In the document delivered Wednesday evening, he claims credit for helping MSU "more thoroughly address the effects of this historically underreported crime [sexual assault] by helping more survivors seeking justice and access healing resources."
The letter is "defiant and verbose," posts Michigan Advance editor Susan J. Demas, describing "a laundry list of accomplishments."
His no-regrets stance is reminiscent of disgraced President Simon's letter 51 weeks earlier, though she took just six paragraphs to say goodbye. "MSU is now the home of the two most hubris-laden resignation letters in recent memory," communications strategist Matt Friedman of Farmington Hills posts Thursday.
At Detour Detroit, a biweekly newsletter, editor Kate Abbey-Lambertz writes: "One thing you didn’t find in his resignation letter? An apology. Or an explanation. Or even an acknowledgment of the hardships survivors have faced."
Instead, the letter is a catch-all of self-praise for MSU and his 12 months in the top office at Hannah Administration Building. Shouts include one for senior Nikkita Ngalande of Zambia, selected last month as the university’s 19th Rhodes Scholar and its first international recipient.
John Engler, MSU Class of '71
University photo)
The tally of triumphs also includes "wireless internet service in all student rooms," real estate magnate Edward Minskoff’s $30-million gift to the College of Business, "groundbreaking for a new water treatment plant and elevated storage tank" and a deal with the Capital Area Transportation Authority for free campus bus service.
There’s more, so hold your applause until the end.
During this man’s interim presidency, MSU "opened an extension of Wilson Road to connect Harrison and Hagadorn roads through a new east-west route across campus."
On Page 10, the departing appointee pauses for a breath and a deep bow:
"The bottom line is that MSU is a dramatically better stronger institution than it was one year ago.
"The many changes we have made offer substantive and far-reaching in their impact. . . . I am proud to have played a key role in preparing my school to welcome a new president. . . .
"It has been an honor to serve my beloved university."
So as we look back on the Year of Engler, let’s not forget the new water treatment plant and elevated storage tank.
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