Have you ever stood at the crossroads of progress and tradition? Dr. Kirk Calhoun, the retiring president of UT Tyler, recently announced his decision to step down comes at a time of unprecedented growth for the university. Grasp the intricate yet decisive moments that led to his choice, as new construction and soaring enrollment numbers paint the backdrop of a legacy. Dr. Calhoun opens up about the bittersweet combination of professional triumphs and personal milestones, to offer rare insights into the transformation of East Texas' higher education landscape under his guidance.

Venture into the remarkable journey of UT Tyler, where Dr. Calhoun's leadership has left indelible marks: from the founding of a groundbreaking School of Medicine to the expansion of mental health services in rural communities. His pride in the collaborative strides made by the nursing, medicine, and psychology departments is easy to understand, highlighting a holistic approach to fostering community well-being. As the process of choosing a new leader for the university begins, the conversation not only honors Dr. Calhoun's tenure but also subtly lays out a vision for the future, reminiscent of the esteemed tradition of outgoing U.S. presidents. Witness the conclusion of one academic era and the foresight needed to shepherd a thriving institution into its next chapter.

Transcripts of all UT Tyler Radio Connects episodes are available at uttylerradioorg.

(Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings and other spelling and punctuation errors. Grammar errors contained in the original recording are not typically corrected.)