USD President James Abbott is in his 12th year in office. He sat down with The Volante to discuss his favorite things about the university and his vision for the future.
Q: What do you enjoy doing on campus?
A: I very much enjoy mixing with the students. I try to go to the MUC at least twice a week for lunch. I can’t always do that, but I try to and just kind of plop down and talk to whoever’s around. While I’m taking my dog for a walk, I try to walk around campus so I can see what’s going on. The other thing is I really like the events that we have at our house at the president’s residence. Those are really fun for me, because those are really the only time my wife and I really get to spend very much time talking to kids. It’s always fun. Every group is different and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
A: I have a little acreage outside of town, and I’m a wonderful mower. I can just mow with the best of them. I don’t raise anything, but I just kind of fool around out there and that’s fun for me.
Q: What should incoming students know about USD?
A: I think the key thing for students to know is that we have virtually every kind of assistance they might need. Students don’t ask for help always, and they should. I also think it’s really important for students to know that one of the really good things about us is our low student-teacher ratio. Our ratio is something like 14 to one. That gives each student an opportunity to know his or her professors, and I think that’s important. I would also say that there’s a wide range of activities. There’re club sports ... to student government to all kinds of charitable endeavors.
Q: What kinds of new programs and construction projects are being worked on for next fall?
A: Well, we’re really excited about the new health sciences major, which I think is a really great step forward. We have so many students who are interested in a medical career, but they’re not sure what and they don’t particularly want to major in biology or chemistry. I’m also looking forward to a review of languages. We’d really like to add a non-Western language. It looks like the (business) school will be finished on time, or very close to it. We’re looking forward to the new fitness center and Coyote Village, the new 550 bed suite-style housing unit. Then there’s always the transition to D-I. Even if you’re not particularly interested in athletics, D-I kind of brings a different excitement to the campus.
Q: What is the most special thing about USD to you personally?
A: The icing on the cake is being the first alumnus president. I think as one gets older ... you really get to appreciate the opportunities that you had earlier on in life and to be able to come back here and try to make sure that those opportunities are present for a student today, that really is a wonderful luxury. I don’t know many people that can say that.
The Volante > News > Freshman Issue 2009
President Abbott enjoys interaction with students
Published: Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, May 5, 2009
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