Chancellor Ronnie Green’s Dec. 20 announcement that he will step down in 2023 as leader of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln drew multiple well wishes and thanks from across Husker Nation.
Ted Carter, president of the University of Nebraska system thanked Green for his service and said it is a well-earned retirement.
This is a well-earned decision for Chancellor @RonnieDGreen & Jane Green. Nebraskans are grateful for their service to our university & state. @UNLincoln today is in a position to expand its impact on Nebraska & the world even further.
My full statement: https://t.co/7ZixwxlmoE https://t.co/cgZkVrasbC pic.twitter.com/fkJ4ouAnq6— Ted Carter (@UofNE_President) December 20, 2022
In an exclusive interview with the Lincoln Journal-Star's Chris Dunker, Green said he knew, "it's the right time for me" and that he is "ready to do the next thing."
EXCLUSIVE: UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green said he plans to retire at the end of June 2023.
"I'm ready to do the next thing," Green, 61, told me in an interview. https://t.co/s9ehtx5fmJ— Chris Dunker (@ChrisDunkerLJS) December 20, 2022
Congressman Mike Flood also issued the thanks of Nebraska's First Congressional District to Green.
On behalf of the First District, I want to thank Chancellor Green for his years of service to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and to extend our best wishes to him and Jane on their next chapter. https://t.co/sraCgPcoJT
— Rep. Mike Flood (@USRepMikeFlood) December 20, 2022
During the seven years of Green’s tenure, the university recorded record graduation numbers, including an all-time high of 3,611 degrees conferred in a single commencement (May 2022) and 36,038 total degrees awarded from August 2016 to December 2022. The university also saw increases in graduate rates, growing its four-year mark by nearly 10 percent (up to 47.9% for its fall 2018 cohort, which graduated in May 2022).
Roni Miller, an alumna, was appreciate of the Greens' unwavering support during her tenure as a student and president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska.
thank you for your incredible leadership & mentorship - it has been an honor to learn from you! excited for you, jane, and the rest of your family in your next chapter <3
— Roni Miller (@Ronimillzz) December 20, 2022
Green was also key in helping the university navigate the COVID-19 pandemic as smoothly as any other higher education institution in the nation. Under his guidance, the university worked hand-in-hand with public health officials, keeping campus as open as possible for student learning, faculty research and community engagement.
Key moments that led to the university’s COVID-19 successes include:
- Faculty receiving training, equipment and support to achieve a quick pivot to remote learning in March 2020;
- Free COVID-19 testing to monitor cases on campus, including the university’s own saliva-based testing program;
- Launch of a spring pre-session, which offered courses during the university’s winter break, which was lengthened in 2020 to mitigate pandemic outbreaks through travel. The spring pre-session has now been offered for three consecutive years; and
- Multiple contributions to the larger community COVID-19 response, including a temporary manufacturing facility on Nebraska Innovation Campus to alleviate a hand sanitizer shortage.
In the wake of the announcement, Marco Barker, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, took a moment to look ahead and consider the impacts that Green can continue to make through June 2023.
Privileged to have the opportunity to work for, lead with, and learn from Chancellor @RonnieDGreen. Proud of what we were able to accomplish and will accomplish in the coming months and wishing him blessings in the next chapter, where he will undoubtedly make an impact.
— Marco Barker, PhD (@DrMarcoBarker) December 20, 2022
Trev Alberts, vice chancellor for athletics, thanked Green for being a steady and respected national leader during a time of change in collegiate athletics.
Thank you @RonnieDGreen for giving me the privilege of leading Husker Athletics.
On behalf of our athletic department, we truly appreciate all of your support during your 7 years as our Chancellor. https://t.co/evXFbriBfh pic.twitter.com/BvUjNlI7Im— Trev Alberts (@TrevAlberts) December 20, 2022
And Mark Button, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, showed appreciation for the Greens' impactful leadership.
Thank you @RonnieDGreen and @Huskerjane0 for all of your dedication and service to @UNLincoln. You have provided the right leadership at the right time for the entire university community. We wish you and your family the very best in the months and years ahead.
— Mark E. Button (@MEButton) December 20, 2022
Other members of the campus community also voiced their admiration for Green.
Chancellor @RonnieDGreen led #UNL through a critical time. He strengthened our university, guided it through an unprecedented pandemic, and collaborated in a warm, open way with the campus community.
Thank you for everything and best wishes to you and Jane!— Jeff Sheldon (@ByJeffSheldon) December 20, 2022
Chancellor Green, you will be missed! https://t.co/gYl2dBmSAc
— Kwakiutl L. Dreher (@klynndreher) December 20, 2022
Congratulations @RonnieDGreen on your next chapter and thank you so much for the tremendous impact you have made at Nebraska! Enjoy more time with friends and family and pursuing your interests!
— Molly Nance (@molly_tweet) December 20, 2022
Thank you for all that you’ve done for our university, Ronnie; your replacement will have very big shoes to fill.
— Ari Kohen kohenari@mstdn.social (@kohenari) December 20, 2022
Congrats to @RonnieDGreen on his retirement at the end of the school year. Ronnie and @Huskerjane0 have represented @UNLincoln well and look forward to seeing them at many @Huskers events in the future.
— Shamus McKnight (@LeftyShamus) December 20, 2022
Congrats! Does this mean you’ll have more time to climb trees with us?
— treehusker (@treehusker) December 20, 2022
I’ve been a student @UNLincoln for a little over a year and a half, but I’ve met and worked with @RonnieDGreen on a couple of occasions. Chancellor Green cares about students and will leave a legacy of positive impact on our campus. https://t.co/hswp5BYAxv
— Kendall Bartling (@KenBartling) December 20, 2022
We’ll done, my friends. Thank you for your outstanding service to our alma mater. Nana and I send our gratitude and very best wishes to you and Jane. GBR!
— James B. Milliken (@jbmilliken) December 20, 2022
Congratulations on your next chapter Chancellor @RonnieDGreen, and thank you for your skillful leadership and exemplary service through the years!
— Nebraska BBR (@NebraskaBBR) December 20, 2022
Thank you, @RonnieDGreen for your leadership and service to this university. We hope this means you will have more time to sing! #unlarts
— Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts (@UNLArts) December 20, 2022
Thankful for your leadership and positive energy around campus all these years @RonnieDGreen
Go Big Red! https://t.co/yT6RX2NIBH— Alex Fernando (@Fernanman42) December 20, 2022
Best wishes for this next phase of Husker-dom for both of you. And my personal thanks for the model of leadership you have provided to the rest of us! GBR!
— Larkin Powell (@LarkinPowell) December 20, 2022
Additional successes realized under Green’s leadership of Dear Old Nebraska U include:
- Research expenditures hitting record levels of $321 million in 2021, marking an overall increase of 16% from $295 million in 2016;
- The diversity of the university’s student body grew 25%, from 3,483 students in 2016 to 4,355 in 2022. These students represent 18% of the university’s current enrollment, compared to 13% in 2016;
- Significant facilities and infrastructure investments have benefited student learning and community engagement — made possible through private donors and the nationally-recognized deferred maintenance program approved by state lawmakers and signed by the governor. Key examples include Kiewit Hall, an undergraduate learning facility for the College of Engineering; Westbrook Music Building for the College of Fine and Performing Arts; Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall and the Barkley Center Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, both part of the College of Education and Human Sciences.
Gary Sharp, a local sports radio personality, opined that maybe Green should be thanked by giving him a larger role in Husker football's 2023 spring game.
Can we have Ronnie Green do a quarter of play-by-play for the Spring Game, as a parting gift?
— Gary Sharp (@GarySharp1620) December 20, 2022
Husker Nation also showed its appreciation for Green's leadership in its own unique ways.
You’ve been an amazing leader chancellor Green, leading the University through turbulent times like the Global #COVID19 pandemic is such a big feat! Thank you both for your leadership, kindness and great service.
Congratulations on your next chapter!— Margaret N. Okojokwu (@margie4jay) December 20, 2022
While you have been a wonderful Chancellor through some very tough times, my first memory of you and Jane will always be of two humble parents working concessions at their daughters’ speech meets. Great chancellor even better person Congratulations on your well earned retirement
— Nicole Tegtmeier (@NTegtmeier) December 20, 2022
Thank you for your years of service to UNL, Chancellor Green and Husker Jane. Your mentorship, hard work, and fervent belief in the power of people have left an indelible mark on Nebraska and beyond.
— Hannah Sunderman (@hansunderman) December 20, 2022
Thank you, Chancellor Green, for your leadership and love for our university. https://t.co/FAD86Xmu5s
— Nebraska Alumni Association (@NebraskaAlumni) December 20, 2022
Thank you to all of your service to our flagship university and the State of Nebraska, @RonnieDGreen. Your steady and thoughtful leadership has always been appreciated! https://t.co/mTk21iviUk
— Adam Morfeld (@Adam_Morfeld) December 20, 2022
Nooo! Really hoping this decision will be revisited, @schicknickshow
— Brian Adams (@BrianAdams77) December 20, 2022
Can Ted Carter block Ronnie Green’s retirement request? Certainly the Admiral has some Federal powers left right? Maaan Ronnie, not cool. pic.twitter.com/wrv0UQs0A8
— Jim in MN (@HuskersMN) December 20, 2022
Wishing you and your family nothing but the best, Ronnie Green! #GBR https://t.co/wcqyWAIcAD
— Katrina Sperl (@ksperlKLKN) December 20, 2022
Review additional responses to Green's plans to step down as chancellor.
University leaders plan to launch a national search for Green’s successor. Details will be announced in the new year.
Watch Green’s entire Dec. 20 announcement here or below.
Story compiled by University Communication and Marketing's Leslie Reed, Deb Fiddelke, Deann Gayman, Katie Black, David Fitzgibbon, Taylor DeMaro, Craig Chandler and Troy Fedderson.
