Letter: Ruth Watkins’ leadership and vision are a reflection on our community

University of Utah President Ruth Watkins talks with Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and Dr. Robert R. Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both not pictured, during a meeting on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Salt Lake City. | Charlie Ehlert, University of Utah Health

I had the good fortune of serving as commissioner of higher education for nearly five years. One of my responsibilities was to help the board of regents recruit and select college and university presidents. I was able to observe many presidents as they dealt with challenges and opportunities.

President Ruth Watkins came to the University of Utah as a professor and senior academic vice president. Later she was selected as president. I was not involved in the process, but I have been able to observe her work and leadership at the University of Utah for the past several years.

She is a visionary leader and has received praise from all sides — both within the university and in the larger state and national communities. She has an uncanny ability to work with students, faculty and community leaders with equal skill and aplomb. Her achievements over the years have been enormous — too many to list. Even in crisis, she has responded with respect, dignity and equanimity.

It has been said that a community, state and nation can be judged in part by its ability to cultivate the talents of extraordinary people who provide vision and leadership for the common good. President Watkins is one of those extraordinary leaders. Her leaving is a loss to the university and to our state. I wish her the very best, but I will miss her. We will all miss her.

Richard E. Kendell

North Salt Lake

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