Losing your president like Emporia State University is experiencing is never fun, but this ordeal is made easier when you are reaping the benefits from an outstanding effort from the person you are losing.
Obviously Michael Shonrock has been an extraordinary leader. It has been my practice to answer that old question: “how are things in Emporia?” with – couldn’t be better because Emporia State is on a tear and the guy leading that has energized not only the University, but our entire community!
What made Doctor Shonrock so special?
I’ll mention three things, but there are many more.
First he’s the best “friend raiser” ever. Michael never misses an opportunity to introduce himself and give away a business card. Little kids might be his favorite, but he’s made friends everywhere he’s gone including the Board of Regents and the legislature.
There’s nothing phony about Shonrock. What you see is what you get. Unbridled enthusiasm, corny jokes (often repeated) he says “thank you” over and over and the people love it.
Why: Because he never, ever has to fake the sincerity.
President Shonrock’s second great trait is as a “possibility thinker.” He never looks for a reason to say “no,” but looks first for ways to get things accomplished. Not rocket science – rather – let’s find a way!
He will leave ESU with a new positive attitude, a shiny Master Plan, an updated strategic plan, new techniques and leaders better prepared to face challenges.
Michael Shonrock also proved to be a Pied Piper. He brought amazingly talented people to EmporiaState like Provost David Cordle, Business Dean Kristie Ogilvie, V. P. for Administration and Physical Affairs Werner Golling, DenaSue Potestio, President of the ESU Foundation and others. Not only did the president get these folks hired they all live in Emporia!
Also under his leadership many campus leaders have become better at their jobs.
Good presidents like good coaches are hard to find and harder to keep. We need leaders at ESU with the ability to move on and up. Shonrock fits that model.
So, after feeling like I’d taken a punch in the gut like most you felt when you received the news of Shonrock’s new job I’m ready to celebrate his leadership and start working towards carrying on the tremendous changes he implemented.
We are better off to have had Michael and lost him than to never have known him and we wish he and Karen all the best.
