Former CIA director George Tenet praises Ripon College's new president

Former director of Central Intelligence George Tenet, left, congratulates Dr. Zach P. Messitte on his inauguration as Ripon College's 13th president. / Submitted photo

Written by

Jay Alderson

Zach P. Messitte was inaugurated Saturday as the 13th president in the 161-year history of Ripon College.
College presidents and dignitaries from across the country, Ripon Mayor Gary Will, and Congressman Thomas E. Petri, who represents Wisconsin’s Sixth Congressional District, all welcomed Messitte and expressed confidence in his ability to bring vibrancy and leadership to the college.
The special guest speaker was George Tenet, former director of Central Intelligence, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Tenet and Messitte have known each other for nearly 25 years, when both worked for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
“Even 25 years ago, with shoulder-length hair, (Messitte) had a thirst for knowledge, and an inquisitive, curious nature that brought out the best in all of us,” Tenet said. “He looked at the world with a sense of awe. While specialists would try to explain a complicated problem, he would step back and, through the study of culture, language, history and the arts, reposition our thinking to focus on the bigger more important considerations, before we wrestled with the specific problem at hand.”
Tenet said Messitte is passionate and engaging.
“What he will convey to all of you is a deep appreciation of your history and yet challenge each and every one of you … to up your game, think bigger, engage the world and be the crown jewel of small liberal arts colleges that are so absolutely essential to the success of our country and this world.”