Each fall, as August turns to September, students settle into their classes and faculty become familiar with a new cohort. I recall some years ago that my mentor and dear friend, former Mason Provost and University Professor Peter Stearns, remarked, and I paraphrase: “If you are not excited and inspired this time of year, academic life may not be the right career path for you.”
I concur. And I am indeed excited and inspired that we educate in ways that transform lives.
As we began the 2023–24 academic year, I again hosted an Opening Session for our colleagues who work in and are affiliated with the Office of the Provost. Since joining Mason in 2010, I have hosted an Opening Session each semester. These gatherings have always been a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future, while also considering forthcoming issues that will require our attention.
This year we again considered such issues—yet for me, it was a very different kind of Opening Session as it will be my last at Mason. I will depart the university in October to become the 15th president of Towson University, the second largest public university in Maryland and a unit within the University System of Maryland.
There will be other opportunities for me to reflect on my time and journey at Mason. As such, I regularly will share some of my thoughts, observations, and reflections in this column.
While preparing for the fall 2023 Opening Session, I began to consider my legacy, both during my decade as dean of the College of Education and Human Development and over the last four years as provost. As I reflected, and as I told the more than 600 colleagues who were in attendance, I believe my legacy is YOU. By that I mean the colleagues I have had the honor and privilege to work with, learn from, grow with and support, and be supported by. We have created a team—a team that works in close collaboration. As often is said by athletic coaches, “There is no I in team.” This is true and if I have had success, it has not been because of ME, rather it has been a consequence of my collaboration with YOU—the many colleagues who have contributed to Mason’s success.
I am deeply appreciative and incredibly thankful.
Mason is comprised of incredibly capable and committed people—people who go the extra mile to facilitate the success of our students while supporting their colleagues and promoting the success of our faculty and staff. I often have said, as one of my undergraduate mentors Milton Mayerhoff wrote, that caring is about helping others to grow. At Mason, we care for our students and each other. It is what makes Mason, Mason.
Sometimes, however, we do so at our own expense and at times our own peril.
As I reflect on what is most important in my life, especially as I prepare to lead a large, complex university, it is critical for each of us to achieve balance in our own lives while simultaneously supporting, encouraging, and helping others. A contemporary proverb that has become a personal guidepost as I transition to the presidency of Towson University is: To truly achieve success, you must live your life in balance. This has special meaning for me and is a challenge I hope to achieve. I have come to understand that it is essential for my career success and life satisfaction—not for either, rather for both.
As we are more than two weeks into the new academic year, I urge you to do the same so that this contemporary proverb also will be meaningful for you. I know that when it is, you will be more fulfilled and even more successful.
I hope that you are enjoying the new academic year and that it will bring you success. I encourage you to seek and achieve life balance.
All the best.
Mark R. Ginsberg, PhD
Provost, Executive Vice President, and Professor