Student Senate voted Wednesday to pass a resolution by acclimation to recognize Chancellor Jim Woodward’s contribution to the University.  

Sen. Stephen Kouba, CHASS representative, said the Senate was grateful for the leadership Woodward showed when the University was in need.

“The Senate recognizes how hard he worked this year and we appreciate him coming in and leading this university,” Kouba said. “This university was mired in such a scandal that it would have been extremely hard to recover from and really re-coop our reputation if we didn’t have the right leadership and he did that. He really led this university with a lot of class.”

Kouba said Woodward gave the University a new direction and helped it recover from scandal.

“Chancellor Woodward came into this university at one of the most tumultuous times that we’ve ever had,” Kouba said. “The Senate recognized the leadership and effort that he put in to bring this university back together, getting it out of the dark time we were experiencing.”

Kouba said certain contributions of Woodward’s were controversial but necessary.

“Students will point to things like Talley and say he didn’t represent students, but I think it was his job as chancellor to move this University forward,” Kouba said. “Whether or not you agree with Talley it will move the University forward.”

Woodward made his first appearance at a Senate meeting on Wednesday to recognize student leaders of the University.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the faculty, I’ve enjoyed working with the staff, but I’ve especially enjoyed working with the student leaders,” Woodward said. “It has been a pleasure to be in this position because I get to deal with and work with student leaders.”

Woodward said that in past positions his wife has enjoyed getting to know students as well. He said she would “adopt” every student who attended events at their house.

“It has been a pleasure; I wish I had gotten to get to know each and every one of you,” Woodward said. “I wish my wife could be here so that she could get to know the student leaders here.”

Woodward recognized Kelli Rogers, Senate president, and Jim Ceresnak, student body president, as two influential students with whom he had worked closely with.

Rogers said she was honored to have the Chancellor Woodward speak at the Senate meeting.

“He has served this University so well and it is just an honor to have had the chancellor come in,” Rogers said.