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As the Madison College community prepares to say goodbye to President Daniels as he retires after 11+ years of dedicated service, colleagues, students and friends have reflected on the transformative leadership that is a hallmark of Daniels and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
The memories, accolades and affection shared are as numerous as the list of accomplishments that Daniels has achieved during his tenure, but some common themes have emerged.
Students. Students. Students.
Anybody who has spent any time with him knows that the “why” behind everything Daniels does is supporting students.
Madison College District Board Chair Donald D. Dantzler, Jr., said, “Everything he does is driven by students. What will help students be successful? What will support students on and off campus? How can we make sure that the student voice is honored and woven into the fabric of the Madison College structure and culture?”
“Students are his north star. It is evidenced in all the ways he has showed up over the last eleven years and pulled all of us higher to serve our communities and each other too,” said Tina Ahedo, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Madison College.
Ahedo shared a story about the opening of Goodman South Campus. The day was commemorated with a group photo of students, faculty and staff. In that image, you need to look hard to find Daniels – he’s standing in the back. “Why?” she asked. “Because it was never about him – it was always about the students, about our college, about our community.”
The power of a vision
Dr. Daniels has a gift, not just for knowing what needs to be done, but rallying others to achieve a bold vision. While the creation of the Goodman South Campus is the most visible manifestation of Daniels’ ability to bring transformative ideas to life, there are countless other examples of his innovation and foresight that have benefited the college and the community.
Seth Lentz, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin praised Daniels’ ability to “share a bold vision, even without knowing every step of the path, but trusting in partners who could help make it a reality.”
Dr. Marco Torrez-Miranda, director of the college’s Institute for Equity and Transformational Change (IETC) called Daniels’ ability to see beyond what is immediately in front of us inspiring. “Dr. Daniels has reminded us that true innovation lies not only in casting a vision but also in fully embracing it – in reimagining who we are and how we operate.”
Being present
Leading and transforming an institution such as Madison College is more than enough to keep one’s plate full. But for Daniels, there was always time to mentor a student, engage with a colleague, participate in an event, or serve at a community meeting or board. And when he did these things, it was never perfunctory or simply to “check the box.” He was all in and fully engaged.
As Ahedo put it, “That’s what he did. He showed up. Again and again. Always with questions. Always curious. Showing up is what allowed him to lean in and ask, ‘What do you need and how can we best serve together toward this particular need?’”
Lentz acknowledged Daniels’ significant and visible accomplishments but also recalls the influence that he has had simply by being present. “What stands out for me are the less visible impacts he’s had – the quieter, more personal ways he’s made a difference.” He highlighted Daniels’ willingness to share his wisdom with those stepping into new roles or act as a sounding board for new ideas and strategies and simply being a steady, reassuring presence.
Former Madison College District Board Chair Frances Huntley-Cooper notes that, no matter how busy Daniels was, he found time to be an active and contributing community member, serving on boards and committees of many organizations in Dane County.
The collaboration with local leaders not only benefited the college but the community. Daniels understood that for Madison College to thrive, the community, its businesses, and its people needed to succeed as well.
“Good enough” is not good enough
One of the characteristics of a great leader is never settling for “good enough,” and Dr. Daniels is no exception. Those who have worked with him know his unwavering pursuit of excellence and his dedication to lifting others in the process.
Torrez-Miranda said, “Dr. Daniels has transformed Madison College into a place where excellence is not just envisioned – it is lived.”
“Dr. Daniels is simply leaving the college in a better place than he found it,” said Dr. Mark Thomas, executive vice president and chief strategy officer. “He has moved the needle. He has shown us what we can be, and he’s given us a vision for how to get there.”
Dantzler agreed, saying “That is the hallmark of Dr. Daniels’ leadership – a legacy that has made Madison College better than it was when he arrived.”
Even Wolfie, the Madison College mascot, got in on the tribute action with a poem he wrote about Daniels’ tenure. One stanza of the poem reflects:
“These halls will be different, a shift from what we’ve known
A place forever changed by the leadership you’ve shown.
You’ve pushed us to be excellent, never allowed us to settle,
Always raising the bar, never content with the middle.
You knew the magic of this place, the power it holds
And you knew we were best – daring, brilliant and bold.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Wolfie.
With the gratitude of the WolfPack nation, we say goodbye to a transformational leader, President Jack E. Daniels III.
