Brodhead for president

After contemplating the lacrosse scandal and its impact for nearly a year, I am convinced that we could not have asked for a better leader than President Richard Brodhead. From the first days of this scandal, Brodhead's thoughtful and articulate statements gave me confidence that our administration was carefully considering the case, even as the pundits and our favorite district attorney continued to reduce complex issues into black and white archetypes. I was greatly troubled by the recent suggestion in The Chronicle that some "detractors" believe our University would have been better served by a leader who took a "firmer stand" ("Leading under fire," Jan. 22). It seems to me that the mentality of firm stands lies at the heart of so many conflicts and tragedies in our world; from posturing DAs maintaining unfounded claims to commanders-in-chief leading nations boldly and blindly into hopeless wars.

Brodhead is a great president because he contemplates with sensitivity the myriad and complicated issues that affect this university, and makes balanced decisions after respectfully listening to all sides. I was surprised by criticism implying that President Brodhead should have recognized and championed the "winning" side from the start, especially considering that so many of our own opinions have evolved and one-eightied over the course of this scandal. By remaining neutral, open and thoughtful from the very beginning, our president led without bias and preserved the spirit of intellectual debate that should always remain a foundation of the Duke experience. There is no one more qualified to lead our multifaceted university, a place characterized by varied opinions, diverse origins and countless passions.

I believe the tragedy of this scandal would be infinitely compounded were we to scare off our fine president in a search for scapegoats. And while I read of criticism in the paper, I know that there are many, many students who feel as I do. The only way we should ever allow Brodhead to leave Duke, is if he decides to run in 2008.

Chas Salmen

Trinity '06