With DU rapidly revolutionizing its campus, academics and student body, the Head of the University Chancellor Robert Coombe has decided to step aside and retire. Coombe has been a part of the University for 33 years and nine as chancellor. He has undoubtedly reshaped the university for the future and dedicated his life to past and present Pioneers. Through his effective leadership and years of service, DU has been shaped into a school ready to embrace the future while still honoring its past successes. Although his chancellorship has been filled with controversy and conflict through many issues that will continue to be debated, Coombe has honored the University and the student body as his role of chief executive and will be remembered as an integral part of the university’s future.
Living in Denver for most of his life, Coombe started his career at DU in 1981. For 24 years, Coombe taught chemistry at DU and began to take on various leadership roles, such as the dean of the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, and provost. His long experience serving the university gave him the credentials to become the 17th chancellor of DU. In serving our university as a mentor and teacher of students, he eventually became the leader of the university, embodying the values of the Pioneers and faithfully serving our school.
As chancellor, Coombe expressed his devotion to the university, integrity and leadership through policies which have moved DU into the 21st century, laying the groundwork for future development. Under Coombe’s leadership, the university has grown its infrastructure, finances and student body. With a greater and higher caliber of students joining the Pioneer population, increased infrastructure in the form of the Anderson Academic Commons and other planned expansions, in addition to finding the financial means to expand through a growing endowment, Coombe has developed the tools to move DU into the future. Most importantly, Coombe’s leadership has been driven by his integrity and devotion to service to the university. Through his strong leadership, DU is ready to excel into the future as a greater force in the academic community.
However, under his leadership, controversy has been rampant, primarily around our mascot, Boone. Coombe took an anti-Boone stance, stating in a 2008 email that Boone is not relatable amongst women, persons of color, and international students and faculty. “The university simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than unifying influence on our community,” Coombe said. Others among the alumni and student body, myself included, do not believe that Boone divides this campus, but instead can truly unite us as Pioneers as a symbol of strength, not intolerance. This identity crisis within the university will continue for years to come and has been directly attributed to Coombe’s chancellorship. Through this argument, many have developed distaste for Coombe; however, it is a mistake and gross injustice to simply define Coombe by one issue and degrade his true accomplishments to the university. Although I disagree with him on Boone, I know he is a kind man of integrity and strong leadership, fighting to unite and grow our university. For this, I am grateful, and I appreciate his service and stewardship as chancellor.
Coombe leaves behind a legacy of triumph and growth for the university. Through expansion and growth within DU, future Pioneers will be able to benefit from more advanced academics, a campus fit for the 21st century and a growing population of dedicated and devoted Pioneers. As we enter 2014, we can be assured that our future will be bright and prosperous, as our campus continues to grow and change for the better.
