Forum formulates foundation

At times, you may have thought you were watching a stand-up comedian performing if you were at Dr. Joseph Rallo's Q&A forum with students.

"You guys have a good mascot," Rallo said. "That's a good thing. You've got great facilities, students who support sports and your intramural are great."

And then came the punch-line he was so meticulously setting up.

"You guys don't have mud volleyball, though. Might need to work on that," Rallo said to an amused group of students.

Rallo, who was showcasing himself as a candidate for the ASU presidency, mixed a very fast-paced and cunning wit into much of his hour-long meeting with ASU students, but an onlooker shouldn't be fooled. He expressed what he terms as a "very structured vision" for the university during that time as well.

Now he's got the job and a chance to deliver on the points he made.

"What is the vision among high school counselors and students of (ASU)?" Rallo asked the crowd. "We need to do things on campus to make it sufficiently attractive to make people want to come here and stay here."

Rallo said the most important part of that process is developing an image for the university, a concept that is not lost on a man who has studied and teaches business.

According to Rallo, the marketing model for ASU is very underdeveloped, and that "vision" in marketing is also conducive to the outside funds the university is able to bring in.

"The name of the game for a college president is to create a vision so the donor wants to be a part of it," Rallo said.

During the formal and informal parts of the forum, Rallo ran through a laundry list of issues that are on his agenda for ASU that include marketing, student retention, keeping housing up to speed with increasing enrollment, the value of public higher education with state legislature and even ASU's own departmental strengths and weaknesses.

Rallo said one of the goals he has already outlined is to gain accreditation for the business school at ASU.

When the formal part of the forum was completed, Rallo had moved quickly and precisely enough that he left time for a surplus of student questions, unlike the other candidates' sessions.

He even tackled a tough question that others might have avoided: his age and perceived tenure at ASU.

"I'm not only highly competitive but highly energetic," Rallo said.

He said he sees himself retired in 10 years, which would mean ASU will be the final stop in his professional career.

"66 and that's it!" Rallo - a lissome 56 now - said.