University of Michigan - Flint

          

"Universities are people: students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community—
people engaged in the noble and never-ending pursuit of knowledge, understanding and making a difference."

In the year 2056, the University of Michigan-Flint will celebrate its 100^th anniversary. Amidst the galas, speeches, reflections and projections, the institution’s major accomplishments over the course of a century will be highlighted.

Understandably, most of the milestones mentioned on that future day – including those changes still to come before the mid-21^st century – will focus on advancements that were “physically-transformative.”

Commemorations of this nature often point to still-standing iconic structures because, well, they are still standing, still in use, still part of campus, indeed, still symbolic of growth and the realization of potential.

However, we must resist the temptation to commemorate institutional milestones by saluting brick and mortar at the expense of the men and women whose spirit, vision, drive and humanity have done more to further the core mission of the institution than any building ever could.

All five of the men who have lead the University of Michigan-Flint were passionate, forward-thinking, highly-intelligent and approachable leaders. They all based critical decisions on how those choices would impact the individual student. That is after all, the job description. Yet it was Chancellor Juan E. Mestas who truly integrated the ‘focus-on-the-individual’ into every phase of campus and community activity, every moment, of everyday. Further elevating the importance of people was not something he forced on the faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members. He does it effortlessly, by example, because it is his true nature.

Chancellor Mestas would be the first to say that this quality is nothing extraordinary. People matter; there is nothing profound about that idea. Maybe not. Still, the impact of such a pure and steady disposition rippled confidence, personality and optimism throughout the campus and community in ways that continue to pleasantly surprise.

In an op-ed following the announcement of his retirement from his role as UM-Flint Chancellor, The Flint Journal wrote, “Mestas has never forgotten that a university's main purpose is to serve those who come to learn. He's always made a point of listening to students and attending to their needs, a reaching out that was reciprocated. It's that genuineness, that overt lack of ego, that is Mestas' great strength.”

Sure, Dr. Mestas effectively led UM-Flint through exceptionally difficult budget periods. He successfully addressed long-term structural funding issues, developing approaches to increase enrollment and broaden the service area of the campus. Under his leadership, access to this university by students from underserved community increased.

During his tenure, UM–Flint created its first doctoral program, built the highly effective Women’s Educational Center and developed programs that bring distinguished visiting scholars and world-class lecturers to Flint. And only a man of his force of warmth and will could successfully transform this commuter campus into an around-the-clock hub of humane activity. Juan Mestas deserves great credit for holding to this vision, even when others lost their conviction, and for delivering to people from around the region a tangible example of a dream realized. People creating inspiration and hope for other people. It is that quality, not his balanced budgets, that will remain in the hearts and heads of the ever-growing UM-Flint family for decades to come.

At the 100^th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Michigan-Flint, we can be sure Juan Mestas will be remember as much more than the man who made student housing happen. He will be cherished as the man who showed us all what can be accomplished by respecting people, empowering people, relying on people and conducting oneself with the humility, humor and honor he knows lies in all people.