Naomi Lambert: Fennebresque an enigma

I read the profile of John Fennebresque (“The continuing education of John Fennebresque,” May 17 news article) with interest. I do not know him and was hoping to gain an insight into the inner workings of the man who is the public face of Tom Ross’ firing.

Whether it is the man himself or the shortcomings of the article, I didn’t learn much that helps me. He’s affluent, he wants to “give back” and he loves his wife. Does this make him qualified to lead the governors of our wonderful university system?

Perhaps more telling is that he came to UNC because he couldn’t get into Yale. He was by his own admission an unmotivated student and was inarticulate on the one day he needed to have it together.

Is this really the best we can do? I want to know we have someone in charge of the Board of Governors who can ensure the selection of the best possible president of the system, who not only resists political interference but actually sticks his neck out to advocate for the UNC system in the face of cuts by the General Assembly.

Now that would be a profile worth reading.

This story was originally published May 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Naomi Lambert: Fennebresque an enigma."