Ransdell, Gary

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International Journal of Leadership and ChangeVolume 1 | Issue 1 Article 15-2013A Message from the President of Western KentuckyUniversityGary RansdellFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijlcPart of the Educational Leadership CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of Leadership andChange by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact connie.foster@wku.edu.Recommended CitationRansdell, Gary (2013) "A Message from the President of Western Kentucky University," International Journal of Leadership and Change:Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 1.Available at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijlc/vol1/iss1/1A Message from the President of Western Kentucky UniversityThis article is available in International Journal of Leadership and Change: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijlc/vol1/iss1/1Editorial2A Message from the President of Western Kentucky University It is very exciting for me as President of Western Kentucky University to see this very important International Journal of Leadership and Change come to fruition.  With eight current faculty and two former faculty serving on the Editorial Board, this Journal truly represents both a priority for WKU and an indication of the serious scholarly pursuit we are applying to the understanding of the art and science of leadership.  The articles and research chronicles included in this Inaugural Journal offer profound insights into one of the most important topics of our time.  Change is inevitable; effective leadership will insure positive change. Nearly all of the Journal entries are of personal value to me and the performance of my duties at WKU (and to presidents of universities across the globe).  I am a student of leadership studies.  With each passing year (I am in my 16th year as President), I find it ever more important to track trends and revelations in the latest leadership research.  It is imperative that I be well read on such matters in order to insure that the change I affect with my own personal leadership is change for the betterment of my institution and the people I lead.  This Journal will be priority reading for me – now and in the future. I love the title… International Journal for Leadership and Change.  The three words that will be bound together in the future are international, leadership, and change.  I write this editorial while sitting in an Air China terminal at the Beijing airport, having just successfully negotiated funding for three new Chinese Language Teachers for WKU and four new Confucius Classrooms for our Confucius Institute, reaching agreements for five new joint degrees with two of China’s outstanding universities, and having watched our WKU Symphony Orchestra bring down the house in two performances in Beijing.  My point is this represents real transformative change for WKU.  In Chinese culture, the President (or corporate CEO) is best positioned to close such transactions.  I, therefore, try to lead by example. Internationalizing the WKU experience for all of our faculty and students is both an institutional and personal priority, and it represents real change. My compliments to Drs. Cangemi and Norman, the Editor and Associate Editor, for leading the team effort to conceive and establish this journal.  It will bring ideas and insights which will lead to innovative and constructive action.  Now that is real leadership!  Well done!  Gary A. Ransdell President

A Message from the President of Western Kentucky University

http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=ijlc

A Message from the President of Western Kentucky University

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