Wednesday was quite a party for Mississippi University for Women.
Balloons. Noisemakers. A buffet of hors d’oeuvres.
And a band of singing ladies.
All to welcome the next MUW president, Dr. Jim Borsig.
We expected the announcement to be anticlimactic.
Borsig was named the state College Board’s preferred choice on Nov. 17, and Wednesday’s all-day series of question-and-answer sessions with the campus and community seemed to be just a formality.
One standing ovation later, it was clear the day was anything but.
The thoughtful Borsig did as much listening as talking Wednesday as he entertained questions and comments.
It’s a trend he promises to continue as he takes a team approach to leadership.
Interim President Allegra Brigham stood back and graciously let Borsig have his day.
This is the moment she has been laying the foundation for.
In January, she will officially hand over the keys to the kingdom.
It’s a kingdom for which Brigham, a 1965 MUW alumna, has a deep appreciation. It brought her to Columbus as a college freshman in 1965.
Borsig, who admits he only knew The W superficially before recent months, says he has “fallen in love” with the school.
We’ll watch closely as he settles into his new role.
The college has a newfound stability for him to build upon. Borsig’s comment about The W offering a private university experience at a public university price touches on a hope we and others have long held: that the school reclaim the academic cachet it held a generation ago, that of a small, prestigious university unique to the state.
We predict great things for The W under Borsig’s guiding hand.
And we’ll wait to see what will be Brigham’s next adventure, to what will she apply her steady and healing touch. By her own admission, she doesn’t remain idle for long.
As for Borsig, we hope the love fest continues long after the party’s over.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.