President Bataille Bids Farewell

By: Sarah Mueller / NTNewsNet
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Photos by Stephen Masker and Martina Trevino
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University of North Texas students, faculty and staff came together today to celebrate former UNT President Gretchen Bataille and to say goodbye.

Members of UNT’s pep band played “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in the Hurley Administration Building in Denton as faculty and staff members held signs saying “We love you Gretchen”. The Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, an all male music fraternity, knelt in front of Bataille and sang a serenade to her.

Jonathan Morsinkhoff, a music education major, said he wanted to honor Bataille for her contribution to the school.

“She’ll always have a place here on campus because she’s done so much,” he said.

The celebration was a surprise to Bataille, which had been organized by Deputy Provost Celia Williamson. Bataille said it was hard to keep her emotions in check.
“I’m about ready to cry, but I’m trying really hard not to,” she said.

Many faculty members who came to say goodbye said they are sad to see her leave.

“We’re devastated that she’s going,” said Mitch Land, interim dean of the Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. “It’s almost been like magic because we’ve been able to accomplish so much so quickly.”

Bataille has recently touted her accomplishments from her three and half years a university president. She is credited with pushing UNT to greater prominence nationally and internationally and for her successful drive for UNT to become a nationally recognized research university.

But today she said today that the students are really her legacy.

“They’re really going to make their mark on the future,” she said. “That’s what it’s really about.”

Bataille resigned on Feb. 10th in a sudden decision. She recently told the Denton Record-Chronicle that the resignation was not her choice, but she has refused to explain the circumstances surrounding the decision. She also told the paper she was unaware of any performance-related issues until she met with Chancellor Lee Jackson on Feb. 7th. Jackson has also refused to explain the decision.

Under her separation agreement, Bataille will be paid $723,000 to buy out the remainder of her contact. The agreement also includes an additional 20,000 in legal fees and a research position for which she’ll be paid $150,000.

Former administrator Phil Diebel will become interim president on March 1st.

Comments

By Tracy Everbach on February 25th, 2010 at 6:58 pm

This is a wonderful slideshow and the photo at the end of Provost Wilkins hugging President Bataille is beautiful and emotional. Great job!