Before giving you an update about your University, I want to
say thank you to the many people who have welcomed me as I
took on the role of Chancellor on an interim basis. The warmth
and the fellowship I have felt are truly heartwarming as we look
to the future of our fine University.
UNC Pembroke has been my home and office since 1971.
I have seen many changes, and I have never been more
excited about the future of this great institution and about
the opportunities we are able to bring to the education of our
students.
By the numbers alone our growing enrollment and
employment opportunities we have made a substantial impact
be good stewards of our resources, especially the people of our region and the financial
resources provided by you and the citizens of North Carolina.
I don't have to tell you that this is a challenging time for our nation, state and
University. Everyone has felt and shared in the effects of the economic downturn. I have
vowed to remain positive about our lot in this story and encourage you to also remain
positive.
Much of our time at UNCP has been spent bringing our budget in line with the
state's shifting financial needs. It has been a daunting task to make budget reductions
without sacrificing our core mission of teaching and learning. In every decision, we
have tried to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of our classroom experience. Jobs
have been lost, but thankfully some of them were vacant positions.
One fortunate development is that our enrollment made strong gains this fall.
Overall enrollment is up 5.7 percent. A record number of freshmen (1,277) and transfer
students (587) contributed to the gains. Growth in enrollment and tuition that comes
with it helps our financial position.
Even in difficult times, we are able to strengthen our academic programs. We have
added two distinguished professors to endowed chairs. Dr. Ben Bahr, a distinguished
research scientist, and Dr. Jerry Jones, a distinguished educator, will boost our
programs, the training of our students and our outreach into the community.
As part of the 10-year reaccreditation process with the Commission on Colleges,
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, we have developed a five-year Quality
Enhancement Plan that will further infuse writing into the curriculum for all of our
students. This plan will touch every student and every member of the faculty. Enhancing
the writing skills of our graduates is a sound plan. I want to thank Dr. Elizabeth
Normandy, our reaccreditation committees and the faculty who worked on this
important program.
I hope our alumni and friends were able to join us for the exciting Two Rivers
Classic game with FSU and for Homecoming. Spirits are high and Coach Shinnick has
done a great job putting an exciting and competitive football team on the field.
It is my privilege and honor to serve the University in this role, and I look forward to
seeing each of you on campus.