Tuesday February 21, 2017 Volume 92, Issue 35
The message of WKU’s 10th president
Crafting Tim Caboni Story by Jacob Dick • Photos by Matt Lunsford LAWRENCE, Kansas
T
im Caboni is driving his wife’s black BMW X3 through downtown Lawrence, on his way to lunch but he’s a bit distracted in conversation. He is explaining his views on theory to practice in communication, and there is a point he must illustrate. After asking to be recorded, he concentrates as the device is being turned on. His eyebrows raise and jaw tightens slightly; the gears are turning as he crafts his phrases carefully and weighs every word. He starts by citing an article on asymmetrical and symmetrical communication. He hesitates and seems disappointed at first when the author’s name doesn’t come right away. He pushes on almost flawlessly, enthusiastic about the subject. “The idea is that there is a give or take between an organization and any of its publics and in that, truth matters,” Caboni said. He breaks down the two basic approaches of communication: a quick hit without feedback and the path of engagement where concern is on the public’s reaction. “What you should be doing is engaging with the public in a truthful way; hearing them and by listening, you actually modify the organization’s message,” Caboni said. “If you’re doing that, you can hear how the organization is being perceived in relation to how you want it to be perceived and help that gap be met in the middle.” The question was about whether he felt a public relations person could have a university’s best intentions in mind while also being
as truthful as possible. Caboni explains the munity with KU. He has been an advocate for advantages of trust and ethics on an organiza- the recently formed Dwayne Peaslee Technical tional level that somehow seems genuine de- Training Institute McElwain and Lowe cite as spite itself. being a boon for the people of Lawrence. Moments like this come up frequently in Before Caboni sits down to talk, he is met conversation with Caboni when he is talking at the door by Matt Hyde, managing partner about a passion. The question at hand is ana- of Restaurant 715, who congratulates him on lyzed, the message is thoughtfully considered the new position. Caboni points out his favorbefore answering and, somehow, the meticu- ite table in the corner Hyde sometimes holds lous is made sincere. for him so he can have a bit of privacy from the This is mostly because the 47-year-old suc- many people that might recognize him – a frecessor to President Gary Ransdell, the WKU quent occurrence. Board of Regents selected in January, has been Caboni and his wife, Kacy Caboni, own a studying and home in East crafting commuLawrence and are nication about fairly visible in The idea is that there is a give or take higher education the community. for more than He said he likes between an organization and any of its two decades. In the proximity he July, Caboni will has to the rest of publics, and in that, truth matters.” take residence the city in this back in Bowling WKU’s 10th President Tim Caboni hub of art and Green for the first business. Earlitime since his er in the day as graduate school days to start WKU’s next chap- Caboni gives a tour of his neighborhood, he ter after Ransdell’s 20-year term. excitedly points out a new brewery under conFor the moment, he’s in Lawrence, home of struction and some of his favorite places, like a the University of Kansas – also known as KU – French spot called Bon Bon. where he has been the Vice Chancellor of Pub“I usually hang out wherever there is good lic Affairs for nearly six years. The talk of theory food,” Caboni said. “I relax by cooking and ento practice has ended for the moment as he is joy the product of that, perhaps too much.” having lunch with two members of Lawrence’s He has a pattern of finding the best signature chamber of commerce. places, name dropping Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q in Larry McElwain and Bonnie Lowe of the Eco- Bowling Green as a place he can’t wait to get nomic Development Council of Lawrence and back to. He attributes his love for local culture Douglas County said Caboni has been essen- and food to his upbringing in New Orleans. tial in communicating the needs of the com-
SEE CABONI PAGE A6