The crowing jewel of the physical transformation so far has been the Ferguson Center for the Arts, which is impressing not only the University community, but the entire region and state, as well, in its first full season.

“Ten years ago, we had a dream of seeing the community embracing the Center,” said Mrs. Trible. “When it opened with singer Michael Crawford, his first song was ‘To Dream the Impossible Dream.’ I got tears in my eyes because seeing the community’s reaction to the Center was seeing that dream come true.”

With tremendous commitment as a skilled leader, President Trible, joined by Mrs. Trible, has changed the very personality of the school in a way several observers say reflects the Tribles’ own strong beliefs on such topics as leadership, interdependence, honor and civic engagement. Above all, President Trible’s vision for the University has focused on turning CNU students into future leaders, and he has emphasized the importance of supporting that development throughout every aspect of the CNU experience.

“We believe we are shaping both hearts and minds,” President Trible said. “We want students committed to excellence in their lives, with a passion for engagement and a sense of responsibility for the world. We try to help students identify their gifts for leadership. Here all of us put the students first. Our job is to move heaven and earth to help them succeed. It’s the most important thing we can say or do, and most schools don’t think that way.”

Provost and Distinguished Professor Dr. Richard Summerville has served the University since 1980, through three presidents. “In my opinion, the most significant impact that Paul Trible’s presidency has had upon CNU is that he has engendered in the University community the freedom and capacity to actually achieve goals to which we would have not even dared to aspire a brief decade ago,” he said.

 “He has also crystallized the essential mission of the University, and that mission is now universally embraced by the entire University community.

“And he has made the physical campus a place of physical beauty appropriate for serious academic study with capital projects that communicate to those who behold them that what is here is permanent, that the work which is done here is important and that great things are expected of those who become part of this environment,” Dr. Summerville said.

As a Newport News community leader and former member of the CNU Board of Visitors, Dorothy Rouse Bottom has seen President Trible’s leadership in action, as well. “Paul has changed the scope, speed, and style of the university’s mission. Beyond that, he has brought into being on campus a cultural center for the entire Peninsula that dazzles and delights us all. Amazing! I cannot think of anyone who could have accomplished this other than Paul Trible.

“Paul has a steely resolve, not knowing the word ‘no.’ His calm, friendly and completely confident attitude that an impossible goal can be reached is contagious. He is a convincing man.”

Reflecting on the University now, President Trible sees more than the academic and physical changes. “There’s magic at CNU, and it’s infectious. On campus people feel energy, enthusiasm, a forward motion and an expectation of success. I’ve always felt that great dreams have power. We’re in the business of dramatically transforming our school to create a new CNU. There really is a difference here and it’s reflected in the faces of students.”

And he’s looking toward the University’s future. “We’ve built the campus and the students are coming. We now want to expand the faculty and focus on those things that make good schools truly excellent,” he said.

“Our challenge is to provide academic excellence to the truly outstanding students who are banging on our doors. And we have to enhance our reputation so diplomas have more value for our graduates.

“My colleagues and I have a rare opportunity to shape and define the University,” he said. “That task largely will be completed over the next decade, and the CNU students attending 100 years from now will be at a school our students, faculty and staff and Alumni and friends are creating today.”

He added, “That’s a powerful reason to get up in the morning and sprint through the day.” And for him, that is reason enough to be president.

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Highlights from the last 10 years