WEBVTT 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.000 Good morning friends and colleagues 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.000 And thank you for being here today, a hardy welcome 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000 back to all of you. I hope that all of you 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:24.000 have had the opportunity to take advantage of some time off 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000 away from campus and scholarship and had some time 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.000 for rest and relaxation with family, friends 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:35.000 and personal contemplation. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.000 I'm certain that with your focus on our students 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:44.000 This will be another great year for Western Oregon University. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 One of the things I am most proud of at Western is our students. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000 At student convection, which will occur next week 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:55.000 I will see incoming students 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:59.000 trying not to show their fears and insecurities. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:00:62.000 and years later at graduation 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:06.000 we see the difference you have all made 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:12.000 transforming these men and women into the much more confident young adults 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:19.000 ready for the challenges to take on their future, dreams and aspirations. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:24.000 As I've said before and for those of you who know me even a bit 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000 you know that I never aspired to be a university president 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 but this is the very best job I've ever had. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:38.000 Why?'Because of the difference you make in the lives of our students many of whom 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:46.000 grew up just like me, entering kindergarten not speaking a word of english 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:50.000 growing up succeeding in college 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:55.000 when college was just the theory not a reality in my own mind 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:60.000 until I met professors like those of you in this room 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.000 those professors who cared about their sudents 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.000 therefore our number one priority 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:12.000 for each of us in this room, continues to be to repay 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:16.000 the trust placed in us, faculty and staff alike 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:20.000 by guiding the success of our student body 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:24.000 as I say each year all of us must in due 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:28.000 take that responsibility very seriously. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:32.000 To educate and have high expectations for our next generation 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:37.000 and to help prepare our students for the many twists and turns 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:42.000 that their futures, like many of ours will hold. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:49.000 Much has been accomplished at WOU in a continuing challenging economic enviroment 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:56.000 WOU finished the last academic year with a 16% plus 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:61.000 fund balance and has a balanced budget for the current year. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:04.000 We have been able to manage 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.000 our institution in a manner that continues to keep our 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:12.000 work force intact and growing, enabling 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:16.000 us to serve our students and to be in a position to 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:20.000 hopefully determine our destiny for the benefit of 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.000 Oregon's goal of an educated citizen rate 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.000 with its 40-40-20 goal 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:32.000 we will continue these efforts to ensure fiscal 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.000 sustainability, and to provide resources for new strategic 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:40.000 initiatives here. 'As you may know we have a 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:45.000 major new building opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony next tuesday afternoon. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:51.000 All are invited to see out new world class DeVolder Science Center 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:57.000 As promised last year it will open on time and within budget 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:62.000 Special thanks to the state and the DeVolder Family for funding 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:07.000 and the the Natural Science's faculty and physical plant personnel 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:13.000 For working so diligently to make this an unqualified success. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:20.000 I am happy to announce that this years budget also includes $200,000 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:25.000 for new investment by the faculty academic infrastructure committee 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:30.000 We also have been approved for a new College of education building 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:35.000 with $17 Million provided of state funding 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:40.000 but an additional $1.4 Million must be raised 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:45.000 and I ask you all to work with me to find those funds 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:53.000 and please have a look at the newly Computer Sciences department in the ITC building. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.000 Finally as we move forward together this year and in the future 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:62.000 to plan how we best accomplish our mission 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:08.000 We must also work together to secure the financial resources for our students 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:14.000 required to achieve their goals by keeping Western affordable 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:16.000 and accessible to all Oregonians 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:20.000 and filling vital gaps in resources 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:27.000 With the quality of faculty and staff Western Oregon University has in place 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:29.000 I am absolutely confidant 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:38.000 And have nothing but optimism that our future is bright. '(Applause)