President’s Blog
The End and the Beginning
July 01, 2008
Dear Campus Community:
Now that we’ve sailed into summer after the excitement of Commencement and end-of-year celebrations, we can take a few minutes to reflect on the previous academic year and look forward to the next one.
I’ve been enjoying and learning from the reflections gathered at our Faculty and Administrator Breakfast on June 12. At that event, we asked participants to jot down items that surprised them in 2007–2008 and things they’re looking forward to in 2008–2009.
The majority of surprises noted from last year were positive. Folks remarked, for instance, that we remain a collegial and welcoming campus. People commented that we made progress on salaries and the APSOU contract, that we accomplished a lot and “pulled off so many changes.”
Several people were surprised by the amazing SOAR event; one noted surprise at the “grace, poise, and scholarship” of our USEM students. Someone mentioned “the immense amount of excellent work we have accomplished this year while in the midst of internal change in all areas of the institution.”
On the other hand, people noted that “change is hard,” and that we continue to face challenges.
One individual mentioned surprise that “four valedictorians from the Rogue Valley are coming to SOU in the fall,” while another was surprised “that growth has begun to happen again.” (I hope, in future, items like that will not be surprising for any of us!)
Equally positive were comments on what people were looking forward to next year: meeting and working with new and returning students; teaching in the new Medford building; focusing more on academics; opening the new portal; creating a sustainable, stable SOU; reaffirming the relationship with Guanajuato; working with a new library dean and new provost; revitalizing faculty culture; and creating an “even better” SOAR.
Many exciting things, as well as continuing challenges, lie ahead. Thanks to everyone who helped make 2007–2008 a successful year. I so much look forward to working with folks on and off campus to help SOU meet our expectations, hopes, and dreams for the future.
Have a wonderful summer!
Mary Cullinan
