Dear Howard Faculty, Staff and Students:
Welcome to the start of the 2011-2012 academic year! I trust that the summer months were as restful and productive as you needed them to be and you are now ready for the start of another semester. As the new academic year begins, we are excited that the campus is alive with the colors, energy and enthusiasm that only our new and continuing students can bring. We are happy to have them back! |
| I welcome our students and faculty back from exciting summer research and activities, as well as study abroad and look forward to joining them with our new students, staff, alumni, friends and supporters at our September 23, 2011 Convocation to officially open the new academic year.The fall semester will be anchored by our collective participation in the August 28th opening of the Martin Luther, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. In addition, we will participate in the September 10, 2011 inaugural AT&T Nation’s Football Classic with “More than a Game” academic events, focused on “Achievement, Athletics and Character, and renew our historic rivalry with Morehouse College. I am pleased with the renewal of the rivalry and our evolving partnership with AT&T to support student internship and career development initiatives and other University programs.
Welcome especially to the freshman class—the class of 2015! Last week, we welcomed more than 1500 new and transfer students. They are among our nation’s and the world’s best and brightest young scholars who decided to join the Howard tradition. We are honored to have 329 Legacy, 67 Capstone, 30 Laureate, 9 Founders, and 2 Presidential Scholars in the class of 2015. Joining our new freshman students are new impressive cohorts of masters and doctoral graduate and professional school students.
The 2010-2011 academic year was one of continued transformation and change at the University. Since January 2011, when the Board of Trustees unanimously approved our historic academic program renewal recommendations, we have moved forward to implement our renewal plans—academic program, faculty, administrative and staff, and facilities with emphasis on our Students First Initiative. During the 2011-12 academic year, we will continue with the progress that we have made to streamline our administrative structure and reduce costs. I invite you to visit frequently our University-wide renewal website to learn more about the progress we are making in these areas.
As we embark on the new academic year, Howard, like our nation and all institutions of higher education, must continue responding to serious budgetary challenges that affect all University operations and services. As we do so and make the difficult budgetary and other decisions that are required of us, we will ensure that we continue to provide our students an excellent education in a high quality environment, and support our faculty and staff. Our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research and service requires us to be responsive to change that is designed to ensure Howard’s growth, sustainability and enhanced position in the higher education community.
Best wishes for a successful academic year.
Sincerely,
Sidney A. Ribeau
President |
