Dr. David Rankin visited the two Honors Seminar classes today and spoke on what it is like to be president of SAU. He started by saying he originally wanted to be an archeologist ala Indiana Jones. After getting his bachelor's degree he began working at an Eastman Kodak plant in Kingsport, TN.
Rankin next went to Louisiana Tech University and received a master's degree. A chance conversation with a professor got him to thinking about a career as a college professor. After getting his PhD, Rankin taught at Middle Tennessee State for two years. At a conference, he met Dr. Louis Blanchard, beginning a lifelong friendship. Blanchard was a professor at Southern State College (now SAU). Rankin asked Blanchard to let him know the next time State had any faculty positions open.
Soon thereafter there was an opening. Rankin was hired over the telephone on the basis of Blanchard's recommendation to president Imon Bruce. Those were different days. Rankin said he only ever wanted to be a faculty member and live on a farm. He's now a president, but still lives on a farm. Rankin said he never thought about being a dean or a president.
Rankin then commented on the origins of the SAU Honors College. After he became president of SAU in 2002 he oversaw the construction of the first new building of his administration, a residence hall. After attending a meeting of presidents in 2003, Rankin asked the Faculty Senate to consider founding an Honors College and to name that building Honors Hall.
Rankin concluded by reviewing his especially busy week. This week will see a Thursday night televised football game and the mule ride to McNeil that will celebrate the birth of the Mulerider mascot.
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