Plymouth says “Good-bye and Goodluck” to President Donald P. Wharton

The days grow warmer and longer – but the sun is setting on the school year, and the time we have with our president, Donald P. Wharton. During his thirteen years as president, he witnessed and encouraged numerous changes to the Plymouth State University campus as well as to the community while leaving room for improvement and a beautiful green campus for the new president, Dr. Sara J. Steen. President Wharton has had a very busy schedule for the last 13 years. Much of his day contains appointments and meetings, some throughout the state. Over the years the president has instituted several major changes to the physical layout of the campus, changing roads into pedestrian walkways and moving an unsightly power plant from campus in favor of a more efficient power plant. Numerous buildings on campus were constructed or renovated under President Wharton, including Prospect Dinning Hall, Boyd Hall and its award winning science facilities, and the new Langdon Woods residential building. Changes to the campus were not the only improvements that the president has made during his stay at Plymouth. A number of policies and academic standards have been improved and the school has maintained the highest accreditation standards. The name change in 2003 from Plymouth State College to Plymouth State University, is yet another transformation the president has instituted. The changes which have occurred over the last few years are part of a longer legacy, “I have had a responsibility and a certain connection to my predecessors,” the president said. This belief inspired the president’s well-known metaphor: that he would, “leave the woodpile higher than I found it.” Certainly during the last 13 years, the pile grew. But President Wharton is quick to credit the staff and faculty with the improvements, “No one adds by themselves, I’ve been lucky to have faculty and staff to help add to the woodpile. Improving a university is an endless task. Buildings get old and facilities wear out. Even after all the improvement and renovation, some things could still use some improvement. The president talked about the renovation of the field house and the Holderness campus athletic facilities. Though he will not witness from his current house on campus, he will still watch over PSU from his new home just a short drive from Plymouth. “The ultimate design will be something that everyone will be excited about,” he expressed with enthusiasm. The plan will greatly increase the size of the facilities and nearly double the amount of playing field space, the plans also include a hockey rink, “I keep a hockey puck on my desk, so hopefully I will go and see a home game there.” One of President Wharton’s favorite parts to his job is seeing students perform. “The joy of working here is the opportunity and reward to see students performing, whether its dance, art, sports. Just seeing all the growing and learning is the best part of the job.” As the sun sets on their academic careers, many seniors will graduate and receive their diploma from President Wharton and shake his hand for the last time, it will be a rite of passing for both students and president. For both, it signifies a new day. Graduates will begin new endeavors and President Wharton will be able to rest and enjoy the passing of the seasons in the White Mountains. “I don’t want to cut myself off from PSU, I want to come back.” He expressed sincerely, “What I’ve enjoyed most is the people and the fun in relationships.” “It has been nice to add to the woodpile,” he said.