Her eyes were nothing like the sun.
The roses had faded from her cheeks.
But for time and place, two years ago, Mississippi University for Women could have been the not-so-fair maiden of a Shakespearean sonnet.
Despite feuding alumni factions and talk of absorbing The W into Mississippi State, we remained hopeful about the future of MUW.
Then came Allegra Brigham.
We all expected her business savvy and boundless enthusiasm to be an advantage when Brigham accepted the interim presidency of her alma mater, as the university faced the toughest cuts to its budget in recent history.
Those who know her could have predicted the former CEO of 4-County was just what MUW needed to heal wounds years in the making.
Under her leadership, a disenfranchised alumni group was welcomed back into the fold, ending an era of controversy and tension that had been an anathema to the school. The cloud of doubt that hovered over the campus began to dissipate.
Thursday, we learned Dr. James Borsig, associate commissioner for external relations and public policy for the state Institutions of Higher Learning, could be her successor. He’ll visit the campus after Thanksgiving holidays in hopes of wooing the college community and getting the final nod from the College Board.
With the announcement of the state College Board’s preferred candidate, we are near the end of a deliberate and lengthy search. Brigham has been interim president for a year and a half.
Though the search seemed sluggish at times, the College Board has offered alumni, students, faculty and staff, community members and area business and civic leaders a chance to be a part of the process.
It’s encouraging to see such a cross-section of people engaged in the search and, more importantly, involved with the college. We should continue that partnership and build on it.
But let’s be honest: There are still those among us who will never be content, regardless of who is named the next MUW president.
As for us, we are optimistic about the future of our fair maiden.
And we fully expect the next president to build on Brigham’s successes and continue to welcome sunlight into the eyes of The W.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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