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Susquehanna University Annual Report 2001 | |
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President's Letter
ARCHIVES
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Dear Friends,
It seems like yesterday that the board of directors invited me to the service of Susquehanna University. Now a full year has elapsed. As I reflect on those 12 months, I am overwhelmed with the warmth of our welcome to this new home and with the many qualities that make the presidency of Susquehanna a rare and special calling. It is with a grateful heart that I share this annual report. The past year has been a year marked by transition at Susquehanna. Transitions can often be periods of slowed momentum and lost opportunity. This annual report and the progress it documents are a tribute to the commitment, talent, and resiliency of our faculty, staff, and board. The year has brought record student enrollments, outstanding achievements by faculty, staff, and students, several important building projects, and the extraordinary success of the Susquehanna 2000 campaign. Indeed, the University moved forward in important ways during a year marked by a presidential search and three presidents. As the third of those presidents who came in mid-year, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the depth of this institution's strengths, and to benefit from the unselfish commitment to Susquehanna's best interests that have guided the significant decisions and actions of the past year. We all owe a special debt to Joel Cunningham for his extraordinary service. Equally, special thanks are due to Sara Kirkland for her outstanding service as acting president. Finally, we have also witnessed a transition in the leadership of the board of directors; Sam Ross has handed the chair's gavel to Nick Lopardo. Susquehanna University has been deeply blessed with outstanding board leaders. We are grateful for Sam's many contributions and we look forward with anticipation and excitement to Nick's service as our chair. No one would have known how tested the Susquehanna family would be by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. All of us have been shaken. Many of our students have lost loved ones and friends and we have lost at least two young alumni - Colleen Supinski '96 and Chris Vialonga '93. Our hearts go out to their families and friends and the countless others who are dealing with this terrible loss. At the same time, I feel a deep conviction that these events make our work here at Susquehanna more important than ever. I am confident that the University is extraordinarily well prepared for whatever challenges are ahead, thanks to the efforts and commitment of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, board members and volunteers. I am honored to be part of this community. Sincerely,
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