Thanksgiving and Christmas are behind
us, and the New Year is rapidly approaching – a good time to reflect upon all
the good things that were accomplished in 2014, the gifts and blessings we
received, and to contemplate the year ahead, with its new possibilities and
opportunities.
There is no doubt that 2014 was an
outstanding year for the University of Rhode Island. The year included another budget increase
from the state, a tuition freeze, support for required electrical utility
upgrades, approval by state government and the voters for $125 million to renew
the College of Engineering facilities, and the approval and ground-breaking for
the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center (part of a transformational $215
million project with Brown University and Rhode Island College). Fall 2014 saw URI reach its highest
enrollment in history, with a record-setting entering class. Indeed there was much to appreciate and for
which to be thankful.
As President, the gifts that mean the
most, and the things for which I am most thankful, are associated with the
people of the University of Rhode Island: the achievements of our faculty as
teachers and scholars; the dedication of our staff; the success and
accomplishments of our students. Our
community is continuously setting higher standards for itself and all its
members, and then, far more often than not, surpassing those standards. The achievements of our students, staff, and
faculty are gaining increased attention and respect across the state. I think
this is one of the clear messages demonstrated by the very positive support of the
business community and the people of Rhode Island for our College of
Engineering bond question.
The New Year will certainly bring both
new opportunities and challenges. I am optimistic that there will be much more to
celebrate at the end of 2015. And I am confident that we will have much to be
thankful for once again.
