Iowa City Press Citizen, IA
03/18/06
What did Hillary say to Skorton?
Letters pour in after UI leader's resignation
By Gregg Hennigan
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Editors' note: All quoted material from letters is verbatim -- style, punctuation
mistakes, etc.
Sen. Hillary Clinton was one of about 500 people to write University of Iowa
President David Skorton in the days after his resignation became known in
January.
"Con-gratulations on your selection as president of Cornell University," the Democrat from New York wrote, in part, in a letter on U.S. Senate letterhead dated
Jan. 24. "Like all New Yorkers, I take great pride in our state's fine education
system. Cornell is a star in that universe and I am confident that your experience
and interests from medicine to music will ensure outstanding leadership for this
fine university."
News that Skorton, who also is a cardiologist, was leaving UI broke midday Jan.
20. The next day, he officially was introduced as the 12th president of Cornell
University in Ithaca, N.Y.
Skorton said he received about 500 e-mails, letters and even messages through
Facebook, the online college directory, from colleagues, students, friends and
strangers.
About 250 of the messages Skorton saved were obtained by The Press-Citizen
in an open records request.
They show a man who was widely beloved and whose decision to step down as
president after just three years evoked surprise and sadness. The most common
sentiment was that the writer was sad for UI but happy for Skorton and his wife,
Robin Davisson, a professor of anatomy and cell biology who also took a position
at Cornell.
"As one who has devoted his entire professional career to the University, I write
this note with tears running down my face with the knowledge and joy that there
are still great things to hear in the future from David and Robin Skorton," one
person wrote Jan. 21.
Names and other information that could identify writers who were not public
officials were redacted by UI.
Another person sent Skorton an e-mail calling him the "epitome of what a
President of a major university should, could and would be."
Skorton, in an interview with The Press-Citizen, said he appreciated hearing from
so many people. He also reiterated that he was leaving UI after 26 years as a
faculty member and administrator because the opportunity for him and his wife at
Cornell was too great to pass up.
"Of course (the letters make) me feel great," he said. "Myself, I have mixed
feelings (about leaving)."
Though almost all of the writers had positive things to say about Skorton, there
were several who criticized his decision.
An e-mail sent Jan. 22 had a subject line that proclaimed "Shame on You" and
read in its entirety: "Following in the quite un-glorious footsteps of Mary Sue.
Promises made, Promises broken."
Skorton succeeded Mary Sue Coleman as president in March 2003 after
Coleman left to lead the University of Michigan.
Another writer charged Skorton with "careerism and greed" and said, "I am full of
sadness because we are losing a good President due to your disregard for
loyalty and your self-aggrandizement drive."
Skorton told the Press-Citizen said he did not believe those accusations were
true.
"Only people who came later can say how I did, but I sure know I put a lot of
effort into the university in good times and bad," he said.
Several writers mentioned those difficult times and said they didn't blame Skorton
for leaving. Skorton's tenure included skyrocketing tuition and large budget cuts,
including state appropriations to UI being cut more than $75 million between
fiscal years 2000 and 2005.
Also, last summer, the Iowa state Board of Regents approved higher salary
increases for the presidents of Iowa State University and the University of
Northern Iowa than they did for Skorton, a move many saw as an insult to UI's
president.
Skorton is making about $300,000 at UI this year. The previous Cornell president
made $675,000 annually.
"I doubt the move was initiated by the finances and more do with opportunities ...
particularly missed opportunities of support," reads another e-mail. "You
deserved better."
Skorton said he has always felt he had the support of the regents, governor,
Legislature and university.
"I really, sincerely, genuinely do not feel I was mistreated in any way," he said.
Skorton's last day at UI will be June 30. One e-mail literally concerned his
upcoming move:
"I am a local realtor and very involved in the Ithaca and Cornell communities. I
would love to be able to help you and your family in finding your home so please
let me know your 'must haves' and wishes."
Skorton said Cornell has a president's residence, which is where he plans to live.
Gregg Hennigan can be reached at 339-7360 or ghennigan@presscitizen.com.