Dean Tammy Bray
I love the energy of the campus as the students arrive for fall term! More than 100 of our new students turned out for the traditional freshman walk earlier this week. We handed out tassels as a symbol of their graduation goal, gathered some of them for a photo, then they walked, led by a bagpiper (just like commencement!) to Gill Coliseum for a formal welcome by President Ray and others. As with many universities across the country, we anticipated an increase in enrollments…we are welcoming more than 625 new students – an increase of 25% over last year!
Chinese symbol for change, danger, and opportunity
And as with other colleges and universities, we are experiencing tough economic times. For those of you who have worked with me, you know that I always look for opportunity in times of change and challenge. During our college meeting to kick off the academic year, I reminded faculty and staff of the Chinese symbol that blends the concepts of change, danger, and opportunity. They have all been with me long enough to know I would look for the “silver lining” in these times! No doubt, these ARE tough times, and I know we will weather this storm together. During our meeting I talked about our choice…to spend negative energy and live in our stress or spend CREATIVE energy to create a college for the future – together. I encouraged them to be flexible, proactive, creative, positive, confident, and thoughtful…and to take care of each other. And I knew by their positive response that they were already one step ahead of me.
I admire the take charge, we-can-do-anything attitude of our faculty, staff. And I know from the gifts, large and small, that continue to come to us that our entire Health and Human Sciences Family is in this together…shaping our bright future. Here’s to a successful new academic year!
