James W. Wagner has been heralded by many—including Emory University, which named him its new president—for numerous accomplishments, particularly during his 15 months as interim president at Case Western Reserve University.

photo by Ann Borden, courtesy of Emory James W. Wagner sits in front of the Emory Gate on the main campus of Emory University in Atlanta.

But Wagner, Case's provost and vice president, said his role in the University's advances during that time of uncertainty was minimal.

"Perhaps the only wise thing I could be credited with," he said, "was asking for help."

Wagner, who will join Emory September 1 as their 19th president, said the Case community's answer to his interim call taught him some very important lessons.

"What I learned is that an academic community-faculty, staff, students, trustees and alumni-rightly focused and motivated, can powerfully overcome difficulties and, by extension, take advantage of great opportunities," he said.

Wagner was selected as Emory's new president following an eight-month, national search to replace the retiring William Chase. The search committee considered about 150 individuals before Wagner emerged as the committee's unanimous choice.

Wagner said he nearly declined the initial invitation to consider the Emory presidency. And he finds it difficult to leave Case, especially as the University enters what is likely to be its most prolific period of growth under the visionary guidance of President Edward M. Hundert.

"Case is enjoying new and vibrant leadership from President Hundert, 'Big Science' is getting a big boost from the State of Ohio, new and significant investments are being made in academic programs and facilities supporting student education and life, an unprecedented and effective partnership has been established within the Office of the President and the Provost," Wagner said.

This unique partnership between Wagner and Hundert, who recently established the combined office of Case's two top executives, is a working example of a new model of university leadership highlighted recently in the "Chronicle of Higher Education."

Also among his legacies, Wagner's interim leadership is the basis for a forthcoming case study by the Center for Applied Research management consultants, a spin off of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

"I want to thank the Case Western Reserve University community for the invaluable education they've given to me as a gift-I didn't have to pay tuition," Wagner said.

photo by Jon Rou, courtesy of Emory James W. Wagner addresses an audience during a news conference at the Emory University Conference Center in Atlanta.

"In a sense, I feel like an alumnus. I received my administrative education here and the value of my 'degree' only improves with the continued success of this University."

Wagner likens his leaving Case to assume the presidency at Emory to the flight of an emigrant-not one who leaves his or her homeland to escape oppression but one who journeys to a new world to take advantage of opportunity.

"I don't feel as though I am leaving or running from anything at Case Western Reserve University, but rather I am drawn irresistibly to the opportunities at Emory," he said.

Wagner who spent nearly three years as dean of the Case School of Engineering following a 13-year career on the engineering faculty of Johns Hopkins University, said Emory may not have an engineering school but is a good fit for him all the same.

Emory does offer a joint program in biomedical engineering with the Georgia Institute of Technology. And Wagner, who holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Delaware, along with a master's of clinical engineering and doctorate in materials science and engineering from Johns Hopkins, said he is looking forward to helping develop that program.

Perhaps the most compelling draw, according to Wagner, is that Emory is "inquiry driven at the highest levels" yet guided by values.

Ethics and spirituality have been passions for Wagner. While dean of the engineering school, he started to explore adding ethical components to engineering courses. As provost and interim president, he was involved in discussions about religion on campus and helped support a report on the status and impact of religion at the University.

"Emory has an unusual ease with which it exercises a vocabulary of values. It values values, argues ethics and pursues a moral compass," Wagner said. "To say that aspect of Emory is attractive to me is an understatement, but this in no way diminishes the great values, prospects and opportunities at Case Western Reserve University."

Wagner said he will feel at home in his new post in more ways than one. Emory is about four miles from the heart of Atlanta, in a park-like setting very similar to University Circle.

His parents, Bob and Bernice, live in Stone Mountain, Ga., where they moved after Wagner went to college. His brother and his brother's family also live in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

"I'm 50 years old," Wagner said. "I like to imagine this will be the final career decision of my life."

Wagner will live in the president's home on Emory's campus, but his wife, Debbie, and daughter Christine, who is a senior in high school, will remain in Cleveland until the end of the school year. The Wagners also have a daughter, Kimberly, who is a junior at Miami University (Ohio).

Emory's new president said he will be doing a lot of commuting at the beginning of his term.

"Debbie was instrumental in my success as interim president at Case Western Reserve University," he said. "I'll be a much better president at Emory when she arrives."

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