BOG names Ross next UNC System President

In a packed boardroom Wednesday afternoon, the UNC Board of Governors unanimously elected Thomas W. Ross as the next UNC System president.

Ross, the president of Davidson College since 2007, will succeed Erskine Bowles on Jan. 1, 2011. Bowles has led the UNC System for the past five years.

"I pledge to give it my all," Ross said. "I love this state of ours, and no institution is more important to it than [the UNC System]. It enriches the lives of individuals and transforms society."

Ross said being mentioned in the same breath as previous presidents William Friday and Molly Broad was "an honor; but to follow in their footsteps is daunting."

"We also all owe a great debt of gratitude to Erskine Bowles for his outstanding service," he said.

Board Chair Hannah Gage praised Ross as the perfect choice after a months long nationwide search.

"At the end of that long and winding road, we ended up back home. He had the entire package and a proven track record of success serving the people of North Carolina," she said.

Ross will have a starting salary of $525,000 with no deferred compensation, Gage said.

New president has a history of service

Ross served as a superior court judge for 17 years, and has also worked with the charitable organization Z. Smith Reynolds. In 2007, he took the reins at Davidson College.

"He has had three very different careers and was very successful in all of them," Gage said. "Through all three careers, he's maintained one thread: a consistent, enduring drive to make the state a better place for the people of North Carolina."

D.G. Martin, a former UNC lobbyist, said he approves of the selection because of Ross' experience and background. It's this diverse background of experience that positions him well to run the 17 campus UNC system, he said.

"It's a great selection, as he covers two bases: he knows North Carolina, having grown up here. He also knows the political system, and has earned the trust of the state legislature during his time as a judge and his work with [the] Z. Smith [Renolds Foundation]," said Martin.

According to Gage, Ross has the talent to head the UNC System regardless of the situation.

"He's got a rare combination of skills, character and integrity; he'll be able to leverage system resources in good times and bad," Gage said.

While the state's economic straits have put the UNC System in a tenuous position, Ross said he is confident the system will be able to recover with time and innovation.

"Budget crises will come and go. Hopefully, this one goes quickly," he said.

Ross said he hopes to lead the UNC System to even greater economic clout that can shake off the effects of the recent recession.

"Things are tough right now; we know that," Ross said. "[The] UNC [System] must offer ideas to encourage and bolster economic growth in rural areas, urban areas and everywhere in between, so that we can improve the economy and improve the lives of the citizens of our state."

Graduation, retention a high priority

Ross was enthusiastic about the future, but said he would make no predictions about how the system will look under his guidance. Along with the budget issues, Ross said his other high priorities include student and staff retention and student graduation rates, system-wide.

"We will work together to help students grow intellectually and emotionally, to prepare for work in new and evolving occupations," Ross said. "These are big challenges, and I am confident the UNC System, working collaboratively across campuses, can succeed in this endeavor."

Martin said he wasn't surprised at the focus Ross displayed during his acceptance of the position.

"He understands the needs and challenges of the UNC System across the entire state," said Martin. "He'll maintain the reputation, and the reality, of excellence in this system."