http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0107/05/a18.html
July 5, 2001
STARKVILLE — Donald Zacharias has
had a low profile over the past four years since he stepped down as president
of Mississippi State University.
And that is just fine by him.
"I don't need to be in the limelight,"
Zacharias said with the modesty that is one of his hallmarks.
"I'm here to be supportive of Dr.
(Malcolm) Portera (the current president of MSU), do what I can to lighten
any burden and reinforce decisions," Zacharias said.
Zacharias can do much to fulfill
all of those duties.
He was president of MSU for 12 years,
from 1985 to 1997, before taking emeritus status because of stress and
his battle with multiple sclerosis.
In his 12 years at the helm, he presided
over both lean times and periods of tremendous growth, and developed friendships
and relationships that are still beneficial to the university.
These days, though, Zacharias presides
over the John Grisham Room in the Mitchell Memorial Library, the home of
Grisham's papers and numerous programs promoting writing, reading and community
involvement.
"School children come here to learn
about a Mississippi author, and maybe it's inspiration for them. We have
lectures and receptions here. I just met with the dean to talk about other
uses that might pique interest in writing," he said.
In addition to managing the Grisham
Room, Zacharias is back in the classroom teaching an honors course in oral
communication.
"My expectations are higher (than
for a regular class)," said Zacharias. "I expect stronger quality work,
and give additional work.
"I started as a classroom teacher,
and I'm back to the start of the profession that gave me fulfillment,"
he said.
Zacharias still has other roles to
play, however.
He chairs the Competitive Scholarship
Committee, which selects Presidential and Schillig Scholarship winners.
He sits on the Advisory and Development
Council for the College of Arts and Sciences, which raises funds for the
college.
He's on call for the university president
and the Board of Trustees, if needed.
And he's also working on his memoirs.
"I'm focusing on my administrative
process," said Zacharias of his writing effort. "But I wander sometimes
into the political arena, and other aspects of the university.
"The first money of any significant
level that the university received, in my first year, was the Schillig
fund. Watching Schilligs excel is a great privilege," he said.
"Dr. Portera established the Presidential
Scholarship this year. Attracting students like the Starkville valedictorian
and the Owensboro, Ky., valedictorian are the basis for outstanding programs,"
he said.
After 12 years steering the university,
Zacharias said he had to acclimate to his new, less stressful role.
"I missed it (the presidency) initially,"
he said. "My whole being was in tune with the process and the demands of
the job.
"I missed completing some projects,"
he said. "I felt a little bit cheated by my health. But I loved this institution
enough to step aside and let someone else take over.
"At this point, I don't miss it,"
he said. "I've found ways to invest my time and energy."
His energy seems quite high for someone
battling multiple sclerosis, a debilitating disease that is aggravated
by stress.
But Zacharias said he followed the
advice of his sons, both doctors; and his brother-in-law, recently retired
from the Mayo Clinic.
"My sons both told me that there
is a direct correlation between the effects of multiple sclerosis and stress,"
said Zacharias. "It was a role reversal to take my kids' advice, but I
was smart enough to realize they were right.
"I've had the best medical care money
can buy, and I'm doing great," he said.
"It's amazing what a difference not
running a $300 million institution can make," he said with a grin.
Zacharias' apparent health is such,
in fact, that many people don't even realize he has the disease.
He told the story of a dinner he
attended, and one woman there said that all of the people there could be
thankful that they had their health.
"I didn't say anything," said Zacharias.
"It seemed to her that I do have my health. And I think that's the way
it should be."
By Mack Spencer
The Commercial Dispatch