The Facts: Michael Mullen will take over as Vice Chancellor and dean of Academic and Student Affairs.

Our Opinion: Mullen is great for the job, but he has big shoes to fill in terms of continuing Stafford’s legacy.

Students first. Short. Simple. But those two words spoke volumes about our Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Tom Stafford. Stafford will officially retire on July 1. In his 41 years at N.C . State, he has operated with students’ needs in mind; his “students first” ideology will be the strategic legacy that lives on after his departure from the Vice Chancellor’s office.

Stepping in to fill Stafford’s shoes is Michael D. Mullen. After attending Purdue University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Mullen came to N.C . State to complete his Ph . D. in Soil Science. Twenty-five years later, Mullen returns to the University to be the voice of the students.

The administration and students have very high hopes and high expectations for Mullen, but Stafford’s absence is something students and faculty will need time to get used to. Many students and faculty can fondly recall their experiences with Tom Stafford on campus. Whether it was running into him at the gym or in the Brickyard during an event, students always felt a close connection to Stafford.

Mike Giancola , now director of CSLEPS , remembers his interview with Stafford for a position with University Housing 15 years ago. True to form, Stafford was late for their meeting because he was dealing with a student crisis. Sparing no time, Stafford delved into the interview, first asking, “What would you do to make a gay African American student from rural North Carolina feel comfortable on campus?”

Stafford’s commitment to nurturing diversity has set the tone for administrative strategy and the campus atmosphere. Evelyn Reiman , an associate vice chancellor for student affairs who retired in January, calls Stafford a champion for issues regarding race, gender, sexual orientation and disability discrimination. Stafford never forgot the students’ needs during his tenure at N.C . State.

Students and faculty optimistically look forward to getting to know Michael Mullen in the same way that they came to know Tom Stafford. The torch has been passed, and on Aug. 1, Mullen will be welcomed as the new voice of the student body.