On Wednesday, the state college board made a decision to extend Dr. Jim Borsig’s contract as president of Mississippi University for Women for another four years.
That has to be one of the easiest decisions the board has made this year.
Since taking over as president at MUW in 2011 at, a time when the school faced both external challenges and internal strife, Borsig has been a calming, unifying presence at The W. In a little more than a year in the job, Borsig has proven to be an able administrator, a careful, studious leader and a consensus builder.
It has often been said that the way to determine the significance of an event in Columbus is to note whether or not Mother Goose shows up. We’re beginning to say the same thing about Jim Borsig.
He is everywhere, it seems.
Given the challenges that face Borsig as the leader of a small university fighting for its place in the increasingly challenging world of higher education, it would be understandable if he remained behind his desk in Welty Hall, devoting his full attention and energies to the specific challenges facing The W.
While we have no reason to doubt that Borsig is very much engaged in those matters, we have also come to realize that he understands that The W does not operate in a vacuum, that it has a role to play in the larger community, that its success is inexorably linked to the success of that community.
So if there is an event of any significance anywhere in the city, you just expect to see Borsig in the crowd. On those occasions, he is rarely “up front” because it is not his personality to grand-stand or call attention to himself. Instead, you will find him out among the people, engaging citizens, answering questions, promoting The W in his understated way.
Those who have witnessed Borsig’s deportment on these occasions have an insight into his style of leadership. He is a thoughtful, careful leader. His focus is on the university and its welfare.
Given the unique challenges — and opportunities –facing The W, Borsig has proven to be just the kind of leader it needs. Under his guidance, we expect The W to carefully, diligently pursue and achieve its goals.
The college board recognized this, too.
We look forward to seeing what Borsig and The W can achieve over the next four years. — and beyond.
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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