Higher Education

Students hail UF leader's record

GAINESVILLE - Last year, when it appeared their university president might be leaving, a crowd of students and alumni gathered at the home of University of Florida President John Lombardi for a rally and a show of support.

By STEPHEN HEGARTY

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 25, 1999

GAINESVILLE -- Last year, when it appeared their university president might be leaving, a crowd of students and alumni gathered at the home of University of Florida President John Lombardi for a rally and a show of support.

On Tuesday, the second day of the fall semester, the only crowds were at campus ATMs, bookstores and fast food joints. Students seemed to take the news of Lombardi's imminent resignation in stride.

"I think he's doing a great job, but it almost seems inevitable -- doesn't it?" asked Mark Campbell, who is seeking his master's in business administration. "You remember that "Oreo' thing, and those other problems. I think he's exhausted his political capital. So even if he is doing a tremendous job ... ."

Students Tuesday consistently spoke in support of Lombardi, who earned high marks for spontaneously engaging students in conversations during jaunts across campus, for personally answering e-mail and for driving a beat-up red truck. Students were quick to credit him with the university's increased stature over the past several years.

But, being the second day of classes, it was clear that finding one's way to class was more important than finding out what was going on with Lombardi.

"The timing has been tough; people are just getting into the swing of things," said student government President Brent Gordon. "I think a lot of people are just finding out what's going on. But I think he definitely still has plenty of support."

It already has been an eventful semester for Florida Gators. First the university was ranked among the nation's top 50 universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. Then came the imminent resignation of the man many students think is responsible for the university's ranking.

"If you look at what the university is doing -- he's doing a great job," said Bonnie Baxter, a sophomore from Sarasota studying zoology. "I haven't been following it. I'm already too busy with school work. But it's too bad. I liked the guy."

Since Lombardi became UF's ninth president, the university's vital statistics have gone in the right directions. The average high school grade point average for incoming freshmen increased from 3.45 in 1988 to 3.9 in 1998. The number of National Merit Scholars increased from 96 in 1989 to 192 in 1999.

The university's endowment grew from $100-million to $500-million this decade. The university has attracted three national centers since 1990, including the Brain Institute which opened last year.

Despite those accomplishments, and the fact that Lombardi said the controversies that have dogged him had nothing to do with his resignation, many students said they expected the political flaps would do him in eventually.

"I definitely think he's being forced out, with all that stuff last year," said Alice Hildick, a geology major from Clearwater. "I"ve never had a problem with him, but it seems like he's under pressure all the time."

"Certainly he seems to open his mouth when he shouldn't," said Jason Engle, a civil engineering major from Palm Harbor. "He's very visible, and a great public speaker. But that stuff catches up to you sooner or later."

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