UH regents give Dobelle high marks
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
In its first annual review of Evan Dobelle's performance as president of the University of Hawai'i system, the Board of Regents ticked off a string of accomplishments and called his achievements substantial, especially in bringing about "a change in attitude" throughout the system.
Advertiser library photo
"Within a year, campus attitudes have changed remarkably," said Bert Kobayashi, the new board chairman, who lauded Dobelle's leadership since he stepped into the Bachman Hall office after six years as president of the elite private Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
UH President Evan Dobelle said he hoped to be involved in teaching a course this year.
"Progress has been initiated, and a new attitude is prominent throughout the university system," Kobayashi said in a statement released yesterday that summarized the review, which was not made public in its entirety.
Kobayashi said Dobelle "has put forth many intriguing proposals for the betterment of the university community." But he said there are "challenges ahead" to bring many of the proposed projects to fruition.
In response, Dobelle said he was thankful that the board and university community had entrusted him to manage the system, and that he awakens each day "energized and excited about building and strengthening our promise and potential throughout the system."
Dobelle holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in education and public policy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard. He is a tenured professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the UH-Manoa campus and hopes to be involved in teaching a course this year.
In praising Dobelle's leadership since he took the reins from Kenneth Mortimer in July 2001, Kobayashi cited these accomplishments:
- A systemwide strategic plan.
- Selection of Peter Englert as chancellor of the Manoa campus.
- Selection of Herman Frazier as Manoa campus athletic director.
- Securing money from the governor and Legislature to build new facilities for the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the Kaka'ako site.
- Fast-tracking nearly $500 million in capital improvement projects throughout the university system.
- Strengthening and nurturing the Hawaiian Studies program.
- Initiating a serious partnership with the Department of Education and state preschools to create a smooth educational system for the state from preschool through college.
- Advancing new partnerships throughout the state with a wide variety of business, legislative, governmental and community interests.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
