University of Virginia Library

The Shannon Style

It was in typical style that Edgar F.
Shannon, Jr. began yesterday an 18-month
process of stepping down as President of the
University. Naturally, he did not just up and
quit–leaving the University in the sort of
turmoil that makes for exciting news
copy–but he instead just began a measured
process of resignation designed to make the
transition to a new administration as smooth
and unhindered as possible. That is the
Shannon style: finesse, not fireworks.

It is hardly appropriate to review his
tenure as President in light of the fact that a
now insignificant portion of it remains; and,
judging by the accomplishments over which
he has presided since 1959, we would be
surprised if he were to curtail the progress of
the University now with 18 months left to
serve.

But a few reflections are in order now that
Mr. Shannon himself has set the date for his
departure. We have experienced the past three
and one-half years at the University, having
arrived during one of its most turbulent
sessions in decades. Throughout, there have
been widely divergent opinions as to the
direction the University should follow in the
future, and there has probably been no
consensus on any issue during the entire
period. But it is a tribute to the capabilities of
Mr. Shannon that compromises were reached
wherein enough diverse factions were placated
so as to avoid full-scale student-administration
or administration-legislature conflicts which
could have severely impaired the University's
ability to fulfill its mission.

We cannot escape the conclusion that Mr.
Shannon has been at least mildly anxious to
leave his post for some time. Seen in
that vein, he could hardly have chosen a more
propitious time, for he has surmounted great
obstacles to meet great challenges, but the
years ahead present many new and difficult
problems and challenges for whoever will lead
the University.

During the student strikes of 1970 it was
widely conjectured that Mr. Shannon was
about to leave or be relieved, and there was
no question that college presidents had fallen
on hard times. But, while he did not agree to
every student demand,(wisely refusing to shut
down the University), he did open channels of
communication which were sorely needed
later in the bitter controversy over expansion.
On that issue. too. he left much of the
University unsatisfied that he had really
fought for limiting the University's growth,
but he did help to achieve a reduction in the
original growth projections from 18,000 to
16,000 - no mean accomplishment given the
state of public attitudes toward the
University's alleged "elitism."

All the returns are not yet in (and state
politics will have much to do with the
ultimate outcome) but Mr. Shannon has
encouraged and inspired significant
improvements in the intellectual atmosphere
and academic quality of the University. He
has never blunted the spearhead of
educational innovation, but has instead
directed impressive changes in all the schools
of the University, enhancing its reputation
nationally.

Also subject to Virginia politics is the
quality of life for every member of the
University community, an area where Mr.
Shannon has made great strides. Coeducation
is virtually complete in three short years, 150
years of racial prejudice is reversed, and the
freedom of students to live their lives
according to their personal wishes is now
more extensive than it has ever been. While
none of these achievements belong to any one
individual, is certainly safe to say that they
are largely the product of an enlightened and
farsighted stewardship.

We join the Board of Visitors in lamenting
his impending departure, but we cannot think
of him as a lame duck because his last year as
President will no doubt be as impressive as his
first fourteen.