Gibson brings leadership and scholarship to Siena

In the introduction to his book “Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream,” Chris Gibson writes: “We must recognize this stark reality: We are not only a nation divided — as Republicans we are also a party divided.”

Gibson, 55, is a former congressman who represented the 20th Congressional District and later, the 19th, when it included Columbia and Greene counties. The Kinderhook native made history Friday when he was named the 12th president of Siena College in Loudonville, near Albany. He is the first non-cleric to hold the presidency.

In his acceptance remarks Friday, Gibson, an alumnus of Siena, stressed how the Catholic college played a vital part in his development.

“Siena played an instrumental role in shaping my values and ideals, and I am forever indebted to the faculty and staff, including the many friars who have been so influential in my life,” Gibson said. “The connection I developed to the Franciscan tradition as an undergraduate inspired my personal calling to servant leadership.”

Calling and leadership — two words that define the man who attained the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army and made him an excellent military strategist and thinker. It’s no surprise that he will set out to work for unity at Siena and seek to heal any divisions that remain from a recent upheaval at the top.

College officials are eager to move Siena into the future with Gibson at the helm.

“The entire campus community looks forward to working with him to build on the college’s current successes and move strategically into the future,” Siena College Board of Trusteee Chairman John F. Murray said. “His dedication to liberal arts education and Siena’s Franciscan values, coupled with his leadership experience as an elected member of Congress, military officer and respected scholar, will be tremendous assets as a higher education executive.”

Gibson has the skill and knowledge to be an efficient, effective leader at Siena College at a time when higher education is under siege from several quarters, from skyrocketing tuition to devalued degrees. To trot out an old political axiom, Gibson will be a uniter, not a divider, consistent with the philosophy he states in “Rally Point.” We wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor.