NDSU students, faculty and staff, wearing "We Love Joe" buttons, gathered at a rally in the Memorial Union Great Plains Ballroom on Oct. 21 to thank President Joseph A. Chapman and Gale Chapman for their years of service and to show support during their period of transition. After 11 years as president, Chapman resigned effective Jan. 2.
Amber Altstadt, student body president, and Andy Schlicksup, student body vice president, referred to the people of the NDSU community as a Bison family. "This event is meant to show you the widespread impact that you've had on campus," Altstadt said to the Chapmans. "We want you to know that there is so much support for you here and that we will remember both of your contributions long after you move away from here."
Participants wrote messages of gratitude and appreciation to be included in a scrapbook that was presented to the Chapmans at the end of the rally. Two current students and two alumni also spoke at the event.
Kevin Teigen, who was student body president during the "Don’t Go Joe" rally, spoke about lessons of courage and confidence that he learned from Chapman. "Anybody who has watched NDSU during the last decade knows the concept of goal setting and goal attaining. It takes a lot of courage to set those big goals and it takes even more courage when those goals are made public because then everybody can see if they are being attained or not," Teigen said. "It takes a lot of confidence to overcome skeptics who don't think that things can happen."
Arun Yadav, an international student from India, thanked Chapman for providing a second home to thousands of international students. "It's an honor for me to thank President Chapman for all his love, courage, encouragement and support he has given to the international community," he said. "We just want you to know, President Chapman, we are here for you, the way you were here for us when we needed you the most."
The BisonArts Singers sang "You Raise Me Up," while a slideshow played displaying photographs of the Chapmans taken throughout their time at NDSU.
Ashley Young, an NDSU junior in vocal music education and former Miss North Dakota, said she is more proud than ever to be a Bison because of Chapman's accomplishments at NDSU. She said she has been deeply touched by his involvement, care and desire to see the students succeed, and it has changed her life forever.
Matt Skoy, alumnus and NDSU assistant director for service learning and civic engagement, called Chapman a transformational leader because he garners trust, respect and admiration from his followers. "The faculty, staff and students and coaches are here because you – President Chapman and Gale Chapman – for everything you have done for this institution. Thank you for choosing to make things happen."
Before the a performance by the Gold Star Marching Band, Chapman thanked everyone for their comments and said during his tenure he has worked with many remarkable leaders of all kinds at NDSU, especially student leaders. "I can go back every year and pick a milestone – a defining event moment at NDSU, in which the students have truly stepped up," he said. "I recognize the incredible relationship that we've had with the students. You've made our presidency. Thank you so much."