When we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the founding of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in 2014, I had the opportunity to moderate a discussion with ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ presidents No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8. We had a standing-room-only crowd of more than 400 loyal ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ alumni and stakeholders. The energy in the room was celebratory as each of the presidents talked about significant events that had shaped ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ as we knew it then. It was clear to me from that conversation that ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ had weathered many ups and downs and that through each, the institution had found a way to emerge stronger, smarter and more committed than ever to the mission and values that are the essential ingredients of all of our work.
J. Earl Danieley talked about the Vietnam War and a march on campus that resulted in a richer understanding of the importance of freedom of speech and created new dedicated spaces on campus for discourse. Fred Young shared about the year that ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ had $25 remaining in its year-end budget, and how the senior team had designed a new recruiting footprint that would ensure a more financially sound ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ for the future. Leo Lambert talked about the learning process that unfolded as the university worked to achieve approval of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and ensure ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s commitment to excellence in the liberal arts and sciences would be a deep cornerstone for each ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ graduate.
With each adversity, a stronger university for the future emerged.
In , we celebrate the completion of the university’s strategic plan, the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Commitment, and the gains made over the past decade of this continuum of excellence that defines ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. We also highlight the recent national rankings, a testament to the outcomes we have collectively achieved and advanced as a university community.
I can remember the day the board of trustees approved the strategic plan in December 2009, bringing to a close more than a year of planning and envisioning for the future of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. What unfolded then through community discussions was first and foremost a clear vision to advance ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s learning environment through a commitment to the power of diversity. Today, a decade later, everywhere I turn our campus lights up with new understanding about the ways in which we are different, yet bound by the common good articulated in our mission.
The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Commitment brought us planned goals and other opportunities we hadn’t imagined on the day the board approved it 10 years ago. And while during the planning process it was impossible to foresee potential uncertainties, the plan allowed the university to come together, affirm again our values and, ultimately, define strategies that are essential to the future we hope lies ahead for ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
As you read the impact of the last strategic plan in this edition of the magazine, my hope is that each of you can feel the simultaneous hope and confidence we have in ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. We did, in fact, engage minds, inspire leaders and prepare students to be global citizens.
Connie Ledoux Book
President