True to his personality, UNC-system President Erskine Bowles did not want a “hoopla” for a farewell.
Board of Governors members took their last meeting Friday morning as an opportunity to say goodbye to Bowles and thank him for his work in the last five years.
Bowles was selected to the position in 2005 and announced his retirement earlier this year.
But Bowles put his own accomplishments second and attributed the successes of his term to his staff and the Board of Governors.
“You took the time to mentor me and I will always be dedicated,” Bowles said.
“I thank you for your patience with my goofs and my mistakes when I overstep my bounds,” he said.
Bowles received several standing ovations and a medallion of the University’s system’s symbol.
Hannah Gage, the board’s chairwoman, described Bowles as the right president at the right time.
“We not only got what we wanted, but we also got what we needed,” she said of Bowles’ work in the last two years in dealing with the economic downturn and unprecedented budget cuts.
