Moeser Articulates Bold Vision

Moeser, who took office in August, brings to the table a platform that he hopes will land UNC the distinction of being as the best public university in America.

The far-reaching and ambitious goals are reminiscent of late Chancellor Michael Hooker's visions for UNC.

But UNC has grown and changed in that short span of time, and Moeser has given a new spin to some of Hooker's philosophies. "With the smiling face of providence and hard work by all of us, we stand at the precipice of a golden age for Carolina, a 21st century Renaissance," he said.

Moeser's appointment left him roughly four months to get acquainted with the University community and its history before being plunged into the churning waters of South Building and all it entails.

"Since my appointment in April, I have immersed myself in the history of this great institution," he said. "What stands out most vividly is the degree to which we have experienced several critical moments - points in time where the University took great strides that changed its culture or its character by orders of magnitude."

And with the Carolina Computing Initiative in its infant stages, administrative holes staring him in the face and the $3.1 billion bond referendum so close at hand, Moeser has found himself in the nucleus of one such point in time.

CCI was Hooker's brainchild that Moeser inherited and now oversees. While the plan, which requires all incoming freshmen to own a laptop computer, has not been problem-free, it is one that Moeser thinks will keep UNC in step with the changing technological times. "We are well under way in implementing (CCI) - a first for a major public University - as a means of transforming the learning environment for students and for faculty," he said.

Moeser also inherited an administration and faculty decorated with honor and prestige - and plagued with vacancies.

The administration still lacked top-tier leadership in academics, financial affairs and research. But with Moeser's arrival came some closure. Nancy Suttenfield, vice president for Case Western Reserve University, was appointed as the vice chancellor for finance and administration last month. Robert Shelton, vice provost for research at the University of California, will assume the role as provost, UNC's chief academic officer, pending the approval of the Board of Trustees. A search for a vice chancellor for research is still in progress.

But possibly the most important issue facing Moeser is the bond package, which will go before N.C. voters in November. If the referendum passes, UNC will reap about $500 million in benefits. The money will be used to fund capital improvements on campus that Moeser says are of critical need, particularly for scientific research.

"Indeed, this is a defining moment for all of higher education in North Carolina, for the future of this state," he said. "Our potential is limited only by inadequate physical spaces for science."

While establishing relationships with UNC students, faculty members and staff will take some time for Moeser, it did not take him long to familiarize himself with the University's needs.

"I have visited the laboratories of faculty who are doing cutting-edge research that has the potential to cure diseases and improve all of our lives, work that is hampered by the physical limitations of old buildings not suited for today's science."

And Moeser has gone one step forward - a simple pledge that could have enormous repercussions for UNC. "My pledge to the people of North Carolina is to take that investment and triple it in terms of private support to this University through our upcoming campaign."

While in the fledgling months of his term, Moeser has impressed many who harbor high hopes that he will take Hooker's dreams to a higher plane.

"He is taking (UNC) to the next level, and I am proud of that," said Bill Roper, dean of the School of Public Health. "He shows high sensitivity to the issues confronting us and I think he's worthy of taking us into the 21st century."

Journalism Professor Chuck Stone served on the search committee that chose Hooker and said he sees many similarities between the two chancellors. "If he can carry out Hooker's vision and make it his own and find the synergy of the two visions, then I think he will do well."

If Moeser pushes the momentum of the Carolina First Campaign, an effort to draw private donations from alumni, and is successful, UNC will be a major step closer to Moeser's ultimate goal.

"We have before us the potential of a new defining moment for Carolina - the possibility of being not only the first, but the best, the leading, the pre-eminent public university in America," he said. "In that spirit, I accept the challenge of leading this great University into a new age."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.