The appointment of former Gov. John Engler as interim president of Michigan State University may be controversial, but it was also entirely predictable — especially under the political circumstances.
After all, this is the first time in modern history that a MSU Board of Trustees has had to pick an interim president following a resignation but before a permanent successor could be named WHEN THE GOVERNOR AND BOTH BRANCHES OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE ARE CONTROLLED BY A SINGLE POLITICAL PARTY. In this case, that’s the Republicans, and Engler belongs to the tribe.
If there is one thing the trustees — and the university as a whole, if they have their wits about them — must ensure, it’s that the revenue stream from state government to MSU must continue unabated, or with as little damage as can be hoped for, in the wake of the Larry Nassar Disaster. Engler gives the university its best chance to make certain that happens.
As usual, memories on the campus and in the political chattering class are short, but we have to hope that if the MSU faculty, students and gymnast victims could recall or study up on the last times the trustees were faced with a similar situation, they arrived at similar decisions as they did with Engler.
Does anybody remember Walter Adams, Edgar Harden, and Gordon Guyer? All three, going back nearly half a century, were named acting or interim presidents of MSU following the departures of, respectively, John Hannah, Clifton R. Wharton, Jr., and John DiBiaggio.
Adams, Harden and Guyer all had strong ties with MSU, just like Engler. All three men were considered strong administrators (Adams less so than Harden and Guyer). So is Engler. All three had the ability to “get things done” with the Legislature and whomever was the governor. Engler also fits that bill. All three were chosen by a board of trustees that was divided politically, although none when it was 4D/4R, as it was this week when Engler was chosen.
The obvious difference between the three earlier “interims” and Engler is that none of them ever ran for or served in elective office, and none was overtly affiliated with a particular political party. But in each of their tenures, control of political power in the state capitol was split.
Adams, an economics professor, served the last nine months of 1969 after Hannah left and before Wharton assumed the presidency on a permanent basis. The Governor at the time was a Republican, William G. Milliken. The Senate was controlled by the Republicans and the House by the Democrats.
Harden, who had served as president of Northern Michigan University, had been a professor of counseling, testing and guidance at MSU and had headed the university’s Dept. of Continuing Education. He took over for nearly two years in 1978-79 after Wharton left but before Cecil Mackey was chosen on a permanent basis. Milliken was still the governor, but both chambers of the Legislature were held by the Democrats.
Guyer, who garnered three degrees from MSU, had been chairman of the school’s Dept. of Entomology before he assumed the interim presidency after John DiBiaggio resigned in 1992. He served into 1993 when Peter McPherson was chosen to succeed him on a permanent basis. Guyer also served as director of two state departments — Agriculture and Natural Resources. Engler was Governor, the Senate had become Republican again, but the House was controlled by the Democrats and then in a ‘shared power” arrangement with the GOP.
None of the three men — Adams, Harden or Guyer — faced a crisis of confidence in the university’s board such as exists now. None had to worry about “retribution” against the university involving appropriations or demands by legislators that no state taxpayers’ money should go to paying MSU’s Nassar-induced legal bills.
Aggrieved ex-gymnast Rachael Denhollander, who suffered horribly at the hands of Larry Nassar, said earlier this week that she was “beyond disappointed” when learning of Engler’s appointment because she wanted someone unaffiliated with the university, not an “insider” like Engler.
For what it’s worth, Engler is far less of an insider than Adams, Harden or Guyer — he’s had little to do with MSU since he graduated nearly 50 years ago. As a victim, Denhollander is deserving of our compassion and support, but we don’t owe her deference for her acumen in deciding what is the best course of action for MSU going forward.
******************************************************
Good read. Thank you for the insight.
Two in a row Mr Ballenger! You nailed this one.This old Democratic War Horse is glad to
See Former Governor Engler Step in as President of MSU.Although we differ Politically,
He is an outsider who can drain the swamp that Has been exposed there for the good of
The University and it’s future.He has Integrity and expiernce and this is essential in
This cleansing process to return Decency And Transperancy if needed. Hopefully the
New Athletic Director will also not be an assistant AD currently and our wonderful coaches are not perps.
As a conservative, I have to say I was never fond of Engler when he was the governor of Michigan. A lot of graft and old boy shenanigans going on. I don’t see him as a good fit for the job. There must be others out there far less political but fair minded and ethical.
After the vote in the legislature of no confidence in the past president, the number one priority for MSU is to maintain the funding from the state. You are correct Governor Engler has the political savvy to get that done in this Republican legislature. Good observation.
The number one priority is to preserve the cash cow that is football and basketball revenue. Engler will not touch athletic department leadership. An outsider may think and act differently. And Snyder could not pick the president but he could get rid of trustees that did not play ball. Trustees caved and Snyder got his man.
Engler’s appointment will just keep General Denhollander and her Army marching on. Beyond Stupid political miscalculation. Pissing them off right now is just going to cost MSU more financially and politically.
Although I view your analysis as balanced, you excluded the important role to be implemented by former Governor Blanchard in resolution of the turmoil at MSUA: teamwork should be a priority with all constituents.
You’re right!
Read the article in Bridge Magazine about Mr. Engler stonewalling the women’s prison sexual assault case Neal v. MDOC. He thought the victim/complainants were the enemy and the state was at war. It cost all of us $100 million to end the battle. The first offer of settlement from the women was $25 million but the state was either stubborn or stupid and waited for the bill to reach $100 million. John was at the helm for some of that.
Institutional indifference to sexual assault and harassment is costly…in many ways.
Carol: As H.L. Mencken liked to say, “You could be right.” The TBR article doesn’t say you aren’t — it just gives you a dose of “reality” …
Please see this new article by Bridge Magazine : MSU Interim President John Engler was dismissive of sexual assault claims as governor.
http://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/msu-interim-president-john-engler-was-dismissive-sexual-assault-claims-governor
He is unqualified to lead this university in a remediation of sexual assault practices.
I understand and accept your comments. Jack Shingleton, was interim AD, interim VP and interim President of Michigan State. He was the longtime (35 years+) Head of the Placement Center/Student Services Bldg. and elected Trustee. Jack Shingleton was one of the most intelligent and stable men I have ever known. He was interim AD who got us over the Denny Stolz matter.
The analysis seems on point, and reasonable in the points it did make. To add to the discussion, this does not mean Engler is the right person to do this work, or that there were no other compromise candidates who would have been acceptable. Neither of these are claims you made, of course. But the analysis does not address the various potential harms to MSU of his appointmen, even if the permanent president is appointed quickly. As for the point about victims and their influence – there are now 250+, nearly all of whom are finding their voices. That should not be underestimated, if the majority of them are unhappy with what MSU is doing. Denhollander is simply the most audible right now, for obvious reasons.
Should we have expected something different from you, Mr. Ballenger? You believe yourself to be the great historian because you served, at one time, in the Michigan Legislature, you own a telecommunication business and you talk a good game. However, John Engler and his minions should never again be allowed in Michigan government, let alone the MSU educational institution …ever. He gave up that privilege as he moved to implement his agenda by degrading our people and ravished our state only to “feed” his political desires. MSU Trustees should have known better and taken the time to think!. And thank god Denhollander is audible.
Marie: I would HOPE that people don’t expect anything different from me. However, it’s a question of whether readers/viewers/listeners consider me a “great historian,” not whether I do (I don’t) …
Well Bill it looks like you have aroused all of the limousine liberals in this world with your comments about President Engler at MSU.Just like in the last election they don’t understand the real Politik of the situation. Let’s see you have a nerd for a Republican governor and a bunch of tea partiers for Republican members of the house and Senate. Having been a Flint resident all my life and having seen what Tranny is all about I can assure you that the in-state government who rule would not listen to anyone who wasn’t from their own party . Remember they control the purse strings .
Hopefully my party the Democratic Party will be able to arouse the populace and gain a majority in the state house but until that time GO GREEN.