LUMBERTON — Kellie Blue, a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, says the resignation of system President Margaret Spellings after only three years “somewhat surprised” her.
Spellings made known her intention to leave UNC’s leadership job effective March 1 during a special called board meeting on Oct. 26. Spellings, who was secretary of Education under President George W. Bush, came to North Carolina as the 17-campus governing body transitioned from a Democrat to a Republican controlled body.
Blue, a Pembroke native, assistant Robeson County manager and a former The University of North Carolina at Pembroke trustee, downplayed the political side of Spellings’ departure. Some news media outlets reported that philosophical clashes with new board members hastened Spellings’ decision.
Blue, who was appointed in 2016 to the 28-member board, said she supported Spellings, although she is “not completely” surprised at her decision.
“If I recall correctly, President Spellings came in with a desire to serve at least three years,” said Blue, who will replace County Manager Ricky Harris on Jan. 1. “I think it is an individual decision and only that person can determine their reason.
“I’m supportive of her decision, because it was the best decision for her, both professionally and personally.”
System leaders announced Thursday that Dr. William Roper has been named interim president, effective Jan. 1. Roper, 70, is CEO of UNC Health Care, dean of the UNC School of Medicine and a vice chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Blue knows of Roper from his numerous presentations before the Board of Governors.
“I think he will do a good job in the interim role,” Blue said.
Racial tensions over the Silent Sam statue on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, gender and the HB 1 bathroom bill, campus speech and other ideological issues dogged Spellings, who focused on accessibility and accountability.
“Absolutely, I do not think these were problems for Spellings,” Blue said. “Those are all things that happen to be occurrences during her tenure.
“I’m one of those newest board members. I think the entire board, along with President Spellings, had a common goal of having a world class university system that addresses both affordability and accountability.”
Leaders of UNCP were critical of Spellings’ plan to make UNC more accessible to North Carolina’s neediest students.
Blue said UNCP’s mission and NC Promise, a program that sharply reduced tuition to $500 per semester, will not fail in the wake of Spellings’ resignation. NC Promise brought about 700 more students to Pembroke this semester.
“Not at all,” Blue said of the possibility that the Board of Governors would not support NC Promise. “We have a great chancellor at UNCP, great legislators and UNCP trustees, and Board of Governors members who have made the commitment to make sure NC Promise is a success.”
Neither Spellings nor her predecessor Tom Ross had significant job exposure to higher education when they were hired.

