When Kenneth ‘Buzz’ Shaw was inaugurated 13 years ago, Syracuse University faced huge deficits and low morale, and his inauguration was intentionally modest: 300 people met in Manley Field House and were treated to cookies and punch.

In contrast, Friday’s inauguration of Nancy Cantor took place in the Carrier Dome, with a crowd estimated at 4,500, including foreign dignitaries and university presidents from around the nation, and the construction of a wall in her honor.

‘Buzz inherited a university that was faced with some really difficult problems financially,’ said David Rubin, dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. ‘He had to make some really tough decisions that left some people angry. The university is at a much different place today.’

While Shaw faced financial and enrollment strains, Cantor is stepping into the chancellorship on the heels of greatness, according to Deborah Freund, vice chancellor and provost of the university.

‘We could not have recruited Nancy if Buzz had not been so superb,’ Freund said. ‘Nancy inherited a solid rock for a university. Buzz inherited a place that had seen better days and needed to return – and boy did we.’

Their personalities as well as their inaugurations could not have been any more different, Rubin said.

‘Buzz is ‘Midwest’ and Nancy is ‘New York City,” Rubin said. ‘Buzz was friendly in a more austere way, while Nancy is very emotional.’

They also differ in the ways in which they get things done: Shaw was a bit more laid-back than Cantor, Freund said.

‘She has a dynamic fiery intellect that is remarkable, while Buzz was quietly warm but in a way that was demonstrable,’ Freund said. ‘She is more likely to give an impassioned plea as to why something should be done, while Buzz was very deliberate and would let you grip ideas and make up your own opinions.’

Rubin said that Shaw’s mild manner allowed for him to seldom become angry, while Cantor is very energetic.

‘Both are great leaders but do it in vastly different ways,’ Rubin said. ‘They may use different methods; however, they are very successful at doing it.’

Leslie Neal, assistant to Ellen Ware, the senior vice president for human services and government relations, said that the ends are more important than the means of achieving them.

‘They have a very different and unique approach, but they share the same priorities,’ Neal said. ‘That is what really matters at the end of the day.’

Martha Sutter, assistant dean for student services in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, likes Cantor’s dedication to the college.

‘She clearly thinks we need more art here, and this is very important to me,’ Sutter said. ‘Rather than asking why we should have something, she asks ‘Why shouldn’t we?”

Sutter served on this year’s inauguration committee and said that Cantor had hoped to make the ceremony creative while serving a large constituency of the community. She feels the committee delivered.

‘It is not like you do this every day,’ Sutter said. ‘I mean this is only the 11th time this has happened here. This is a big deal and should be treated as such.’

Cantor’s commitment to the community also excites Sutter because the university is not just a place on the Hill. Cantor has been seen all over the area and is very visible and accessible, Sutter said.

‘I have not been to everything, but she has,’ Sutter said. ‘She seems to want to get to know as much about the people around here as possible. I don’t know how she does it, but I am sure jealous. She is a dynamo.’

Although Cantor has only been on the job since August, Student Association President Andrew Lederman is pleased with her ability to get acquainted to Syracuse.

‘I think she is trying to feel around but she is open to everything right now, and I hope that continues,’ Lederman said.

When comparing herself to her predecessor, Cantor said she realized that she had inherited a very different university than Shaw did.

‘It is at a different stage,’ Cantor said. ‘Buzz had to do a lot to get this place to where it is today. It is a very exciting time to be at Syracuse and there are so many opportunities I want to achieve.’

 

Published on November 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm