SCOTT FARRIS

Perspective

Anyone visiting the University of Wyoming recently who has not seen the campus in several years cannot help but be left breathless - and not just by the 7,200-foot elevation.

For nearly a decade, UW has enjoyed what is certainly the largest expansion, renovation and transformation in its history.

Moving across campus west to east, consider the changes:

- A beautifully renovated and greatly expanded home for the College of Health Sciences;

- A completely remodeled Classroom Building;

- A renovated building to house the new Cheney International Center along with the remodeled Student Health Services;

- Prexy's Pasture turned into a remarkable and lovely common area free of traffic;

- A state-of-the-art student fitness center in Half-Acre Gym;

- A completely re-done Student Union laden with amenities;

- A state-of-the-art Information Technology Center;

- A greatly expanded Coe Library;

- A new College of Business building;

- The Rochelle Student Athlete Center and the finest indoor football practice facility in the Mountain West Conference;

- A conference center with hotel.

This list does not even include the ongoing remodeling of the residence halls and Washakie Center, the renovation of War Memorial Stadium that will even feature "luxury boxes," or the soon-to-be-built Berry Biodiversity and Conservation Center that will consolidate a variety of life science collections into one research and museum facility.

And these are only the physical changes to the campus. Through the generosity of private donors who broke all UW fundraising records, and of the people of Wyoming through their Legislature and governors, UW has greatly enriched its academic programs (even producing Rhodes Scholars), created a new School of Energy Resources, allowed most Wyoming high school graduates to attend UW at minimal cost through the Hathaway Scholarships and created an energy on campus that continues to rejuvenate the entire state.

Many, many people deserve to share the credit for this transformation, including elected officials such as Gov. Dave Freudenthal and former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and citizens.

But there is one figure who, in my opinion, was the transformative leader for this UW renaissance, but all that commemorates his efforts is a plaque on a bench in Prexy's Pasture: that is former UW President Phil Dubois.

Dubois left UW four years ago this month to become chancellor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He has been very ably succeeded here by President Tom Buchanan, who also deserves accolades for his work at UW.

However, almost everything I have mentioned above is the result of initiatives begun during Dubois' tenure from 1997-2005. His drive and determination created a momentum that is still pushing UW forward. It is also worth noting he began this push when Wyoming was in another period of dire financial straits, which should give heart to those going through a similar period today.

I admit a bias, having served as a special assistant to President Dubois for a brief time, but I am also a lifelong observer of UW, from my own undergraduate study there in the 1970s, as a guest lecturer in journalism in the 1980s, as former Gov. Mike Sullivan's education policy adviser in the 1990s and a masters degree recipient in 2004.

I saw many talented and creative people assume leadership of UW in various capacities, but none can boast the full set of accomplishments that Dubois achieved.

Admittedly, Phil was not beloved in all quarters: bright, confident and opinionated people sometimes step on toes. My feet ached several evenings while at his side. But much of the criticism was unwarranted or simply silly - such as the letter we once received from a prominent UW backer upset that Phil had the audacity to pronounce his last name in the proper French of "doo-bwah" rather than as our local custom dictates for the town of "doo-boyce."

The point is that Dubois should be honored with something more than a plaque on a bench, and I would call on the Board of Trustees to consider something more fitting, perhaps naming one of the new buildings, a lecture series or an academic program in his honor.

I am aware that past presidents have seldom been honored this way, but if anyone deserves to set a precedent, it is Phil. And I would note that if Wyoming wants to continue to attract talent to lead its institutions, whether from in state or out, having a history of expressing appreciation for a job well done cannot but help with future recruiting.

Some may argue this transformation would have occurred without Phil; they are wrong. I was on the inside and I can attest that the future of UW could have gone many different ways (several of them bad) had Phil Dubois not set his mind to move UW in the direction that has brought such amazing changes to UW and such pride to the people of Wyoming.

Scott Farris is a former Casper Star-Tribune reporter and columnist now living in Portland, Ore.