Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh receives a standing ovation at the conclusion of the annual President’s Address Saturday in Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall.
CODY ENGLANDER
Staff Writer
At 3 p.m. Saturday in Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh addressed members of the Bestor, Patron and Daugherty Societies alongside incoming President Mark Coolidge Johnson. As Keogh began the afternoon with a speech, he noted that the President’s Address is about three things: gratitude, impact and confidence.
“You are the physical embodiment of this place,” Keogh said to the audience. “It’s the experiences and the impact we have on you and then the impact you take forward on others that is the greatness of Chautauqua. And then we’ll look ahead with confidence and also clear eyes, and the opportunities and the challenges we offer.”
He summoned the words of First Lady and Chautauquan Eleanor Roosevelt and said, “calm seas never made a great sail.”
Keogh addressed Boundless, a Campaign for Chautauqua and the long-term impact of the fundraising on the Institution. With a goal of raising $150 million for on-grounds support, the campaign raised a total of $166.1 million, according to Chautauqua Institution.
“The campaign has reached its conclusion, but the impact is only beginning. You have the privilege and responsibility now to turn your generosity to lasting, visible results,” Keogh said. “Our big campaign needs its leaders, though, as well. And tonight, we would like to honor Brenda and Larry Thompson, who did exactly that for us.”
For their contributions to Boundless, trustee Larry D. Thompson and his wife Brenda Thompson were gifted a painting by Bob Jeffrey, lifelong Chautauquan and former member of the Board of Trustees.
“10 years of service on the Board of Trustees has been meaningful to me, because at the end of the day, what the campaign represents is your vote of confidence in this Institution, so thank you,” Larry Thompson said.
Keogh then discussed the impact Chautauqua has had on him during his time as interim chief executive.
“The real measure is found in the moments and the impact Chautauqua has on all of us. It’s found in the conversations that continue long after the lecture ends …,” Keogh said. “It’s found in the classrooms and in the rehearsal spaces. You can see it here all the time, [like in the New] Play Workshop. You can see the excitement there. It’s found in going to see Josh Groban and having that incredible shared experience with your friends. It’s these things, and also the ones that are not scheduled, (like) just bumping into someone on the street.”
While reflecting on the magic the grounds can offer, Keogh noted some of the financial considerations of running a place like Chautauqua Institution and the importance of philanthropy.
“Unfortunately, costs continue to increase. Liability insurance, we think, goes up by 18% this year. That’s an extraordinarily large number. Healthcare, we think, goes up by 13%. You’ve all probably experienced (it) for yourself,” Keogh said. “The minimum wage would go up 3–4%. Those are things we simply can’t pass along in gate prices, because, also, so much revenue comes outside of gate prices. And that’s why we have to pay attention to those areas and why stewardship and reinvestment gets you out of it.”
At the conclusion of Keogh’s speech, Laurie Branch, chair of the Board of Trustees, gave remarks about the transition from the end of Keogh’s tenure to the beginning of Johnson’s.
“I want to start by thanking Kyle for leading us through such a critical period in our history with steadfastness, transparency, humility and immense care for this Institution that we all love,” Branch said. “Kyle’s leadership in navigating us through difficult decisions while keeping the needs of the community in mind was not an easy task, but his love for Chautauqua shines through in every aspect of [Kyle’s leadership]. He has built a stable foundation for Mark Johnson to build upon, and for that, we — the board members, Institution leadership, employees, donors and community members — are deeply grateful.”
To honor Keogh’s time and contributions to Chautauqua’s financial stability, Branch said she made an unrestricted annual fund gift in his honor. She also discussed the future of Chautauqua’s leadership following Keogh’s term.
“Our board is thrilled to have Mark Johnson coming on board as our new president,” Branch said. “I tell everyone I meet that Mark is great on paper and even better in-person.”
She noted that the Board of Trustees’s top priority is supporting Johnson, along with continuing strength of governance, building accountability and enabling the board’s ability to provide disciplined oversight.
After her statements, Branch introduced Karen Goodell, a member of the board and the Presidential Search Committee. She reflected on the Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision to select Johnson as Chautauqua’s next president.
“You hoped that this person knew Chautauqua and that they were passionate and genuinely excited about Chautauqua’s mission,” Goodell said. “Many of you thought it was important that the next president make Chautauqua and the surrounding area their home. We found that in Mark Johnson.”
Johnson addressed attendees, reflecting on how much the role means to him.
“For me, it’s the purposefulness and the community; those are the two special sauces. … People come here for a reason. They try to get smarter. They get more curious. They scratch that curiosity itch, and they get replenished and get rejuvenated for one to nine weeks over the summer … ” Johnson said. “I look forward to getting to know all of you. We’ll do some things in the off-season as well, and (we are) open for questions, open for transparency.”
Johnson highlighted Institution staff and their contributions and said he intends to listen to community feedback throughout the transition process.
“[Chautauqua staff are] doing an outstanding job, and I’m going to be leaning very much on them to help guide me. I’m going to lean on you all for your ideas and thoughts. Property owners, board members, donors, patrons, [people] on the street, whoever it is, please, just give us your ideas, and we’re going to try to continue this incredible place that is Chautauqua,” Johnson said. “I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve never seen the civic society flourish in a self-actualizing way that literally is Chautauqua. So thank you all very much.”
