More on Lariviere
If you want to read more about soon-to-be president of the UO Richard Lariviere, check out this profile of him, written by the University Daily Kansan in March, 2008:
[Lariviere] has a soft voice and strong ideas. He can speak three languages fluently, four with some difficulty. He has written three books in Sanskrit and has just returned from his annual trip to India.
He’s always been interested in how law and religion work together to shape society. Fluent in French and Hindi, if there’s one person that is aware, it’s Lariviere.
[…]
Lariviere is able to read half a dozen different languages and write published works in the Indian language Sanscrit, which can be found in the Watson Library. He can’t recite all the places he’s been without stopping for air.
“I’ve been to all the countries of Europe, most countries of Asia and South America, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Northern Africa and Texas,” Lariviere said.
With such worldly experience he is able to see the University through a unique perspective.
Which is pretty much the exact opposite of Frohnmayer. The Frohn is Oregon-born and raised, and he’s spent pretty much his whole life here – not much of a world-traveler, at least compared to Lariviere. Also, whereas Lariviere is a career academic, Frohnmayer worked in law and politics before becoming involved with the UO. (He served three terms in the Oregon House and three terms as the Oregon attorney general.)
It’s an interesting question: Which is better for leadership – intimate knowledge of an area or wide-ranging experience? What do you guys think?
P.S. I also submit a request to readers for a good sobriquet or nickname for our upcoming president, although I don’t think it will be able to match “Das Frohn.”
