Reflecting on his five-year tenure, Dave Kaufman shared some of his favorite things about being Capital University’s 17th president.
Favorite Tradition
That’s a difficult choice because Capital has so many special ones. If pushed, I’d have to pick the Gate Ceremony. It is emotional to watch faculty, staff, and family members clap the incoming students through the gate and onto campus during orientation, and then to be there as we clap the graduating students out the gate and into their professional lives during the commencement ceremony. This is uniquely Capital!
Favorite Food
Capital has so many options up and down Main Street. This is a rare asset for a campus our size. I think I’d have to go with the meatloaf sandwich from Newfangled Kitchen. It’s unique and filling (no need for dinner), and it’s the only place in the world you can get them!
Favorite Athletics Memory
There’s a bunch of them. One would be ringing the victory bell with the women’s lacrosse team after completing an undefeated season and winning their third straight conference championship. This team was exceptional on the field, outstanding in the classroom, and actively engaged in campus activities. Another favorite athletics memory will always be throwing out the first pitch in Huntington Park when the Comets played my alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University. Oh, and I threw a strike!
Favorite Formal Ceremony
My favorite would have to be the Honors Convocation. It’s a formal opportunity to honor and recognize faculty, staff, and students for their outstanding achievements and contributions. It really gives you a sense of the elite and high-performing community we are all a part of.
Best Kept Secret
The Schumacher Gallery. This is one of Ohio’s most unique art collections, and it’s housed on the fourth floor of Blackmore Library. They come no better than director David Gentilini, who stages more than 2,500 works of art that encompass 2,000 years of cultural history. It should not be a secret!
Favorite Place on Campus
Reflection Fountains! I have many memories of hanging out with students and enjoying the music when Conservatory faculty would take their classes outside. These are the only fountains in the world with their own website so students know when the water will be turned on!
Most Embarrassing Moment
“Dining and dashing” from a local restaurant when hosting a Board of Trustees dinner. You’ll have to ask a trustee for details. I have not lived that one down. We now eat only on campus.
Favorite Campus Event
One favorite is the annual lighting of the University Christmas tree. This event always has a large turnout of students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Chapel Choir engages the crowd and creates the holiday spirit. It’s authentic – my first year, Santa was about 6’6” and skinnier than me! The campus truly comes alive with the purple and white lights.
Most Anxious Moment
As I had never been a university president before, commencement was a new experience for me, and my first one was intimidating, knowing it was the most important day in our students’ lives. Due to COVID, instead of the traditional single ceremony, there were actually seven ceremonies – all in regalia, with masks worn, and with social distancing in place. On a positive note, I got seven years of experience very quickly!
Most Pleasant Surprise
The breadth and depth of the CapFam. It’s a very special and vibrant community, from current and former students, faculty, and staff to trustees and alumni. The support and impact of the CapFam network spans generations with global implications. It’s a professional and social network like no other. Once a member of the CapFam, always a member of the CapFam.
What I Will Miss the Most
The people and all the activities. I have made lifelong friendships that span trustees, staff, faculty, and alumni. There are more than 2,000 events on campus each year, and I will miss the daily interaction with our students. With a Conservatory of Music and 22 varsity sports, I’ve enjoyed attending countless memorable events and competitions. I think what I will miss most is seeing the true transformation of our students. It is real and can only be done the Capital Way.