It is no secret, though I say it with no particular pride, that I never went to university. For that matter, I didn’t even finish high school. But I grew up in a boarding house full of UWO students and I do credit that atmosphere of intellectual curiosity with helping me achieve whatever success I have been able to find in several different careers.

I also had the privilege of hosting a talk show on Radio Western for a couple of years, and working with some sharp young minds there, too, and I guess it would be fair to say I feel a kinship with UWO that most high school dropouts likely don’t.

So I was very interested to meet the university’s (relatively) new president, Dr. Amit Chakma the other day. Like any good reporter (though I wasn’t interviewing him) I had done my homework and I knew he was looked on as a real “catch” for the presidency. His CV was more than impressive, and his personal journey from the hills of Bangla Desh to his current position is the stuff of good books.

I was pleased to see that the impression I had built up of him (based also on comments from friends who had already met him) was not wrong. He is, as advertised, sharp as a tack, well-spoken, articulate in his views and rather forthright about the need for UWO to expand its horizons and integrate itself more into the life of the city.

It is the latter idea that prompted me to mention our meeting in print, because it bodes well for our community on a lot of fronts.

Western’s successful efforts to attract world-class researchers continue to be a key selling feature in trying to bring new business to London.

There has been talk about an expanded Western ‘presence’ in our rapidly revitalizing core, too, and having more student “feet on the street” could be an important component of the downtown renaissance.

The presidency of a university is not like that of a country, nor even a private company. There is little if any actual “do as I say” power. Such influence as the president exerts has to be found through the power of persuasion, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It demands that the holder of the office be able to envision and articulate what needs to be done to meet the challenges of both today and tomorrow, and be able to convince others of the wisdom of the course he or she may chart. In that ability, more than any other, I think, lies the real strength of any such position.

It appears Dr. Chakma has not only a clear vision of where he wants to see the university go, but the personal skills and talents to motivate others to share it. That’s good for Western, and I have no doubt will be good for London, too.