by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Dr. Kerry Romesburg doesn’t have many plaques, pictures or personal memorabilia in his office. Then again, he doesn’t spend much time there.
As president of Jacksonville University, Romesburg spends more time on campus and talking with board members than he does in his office, which he never leaves without a coat.
He has two favorite days at JU: Opening day of school, and Commencement— and not because students are leaving, but because he gets to see their success and shake each of the student’s hands.
Romesburg came from an institution with more than 25,000 students. Shaking the hands of smaller classes is something he looks forward to.
“That’s the reward,” he said. “Only the president gets to do that.”
And he would know.
Romesburg has been the CEO of a university for the past 31 years, starting in Alaska, on to Utah, Nevada and finally Jacksonville.
After such an extensive track record, Romesburg wasn’t ready to come to JU. He was settling into his position in Nevada where he was dedicated to helping the struggling school. When first approached about JU, he declined. But a school official asked him to look over information sent to him and he obliged.
To see his reaction today is comical. After all the financial difficulties JU has been through and is currently in, Romesburg saw the position in Jacksonville as an opportunity.
JU was struggling and headed to failure. The school was on probation over its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and had a record of deficit spending.
Romesburg smiles and says: “There’s nothing more persuasive they could have said to me to get me here.”
He not only saw JU’s predicament as a challenge, but as an opportunity to have fun.
Romesburg and his wife of 41 years, Judy, moved into the president’s house on campus in July of 2004, knowing they wouldn’t be able to stay. The school sold 62 acres of land in order to regain financial stability and the president’s house on that land is slated to be torn down.
The Romesburgs moved off campus just before Christmas. It is the first time Romesburg has commuted to school in decades.
“It’s nice to be anonymous in a neighborhood,” said Romesburg, “but it’s terribly inconvenient.”
Romesburg is frequently spotted at baseball games, drama productions, recitals and other school activities. In one weekend, Romesburg spent his Friday night, whole day Saturday and a Sunday afternoon at the school.
“I know they see me there. I love this stuff,” said Romesburg. “I’ve always loved school.”
When Romesburg’s not at school, he spends time working out, which he says, keeps him sane. He and Judy often golf together or are at social functions. Romesburg says he has one rule when he’s with Judy: “I will not ask people for money if she’s with me. President’s are professional beggars,” he said.
Romesburg likes the switch from public schools to private.
“There’s a flexibility to try things. It’s different and fun,” he said. “Public institutions require a president to be more objective to get state funding. At a private institution, you have to convince people to give their money.”
And the benefits at private institutions aren’t bad either.
“I have a relationship built with other students and staff. You can get a fine education any place,” he said.
But Romesburg says it’s the true individual attention that you don’t find outside a private institution that makes Jacksonville University unique, adding, “If this ceases to be fun, then I’ll stop.”