Term coming to close on excellent notes
February 26th, 2010The end of the term is an appropriate moment to convey some good news.
Seven University of Oregon students have been nominated for Truman and Goldwater Scholarships and Carnegie Fellowships--some of the most prestigious scholarships in the nation. Our seven nominees follow in the footsteps of the most recent Marshall Scholar, Tamela Maciel, who is the third UO student to receive that honor in a half century--a rate which we intend to improve upon. We were also informed that student-athlete Amanda Johnson was named an Academic All-American with a 4.0 grade point average. These students and the faculty who encourage and mentor them are a greater source of pride to many of us.
And, in case you missed it, our seven faculty Fulbright recipients tie the UO with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University for the most in the nation in 2009-10. Earlier this month, Education Trust ranked the UO 15th in the nation among public research universities for success in graduating minority students.
This week, we announced that fundraising for the university is off to a great start, contrary to what is happening nationally. In the first half of the fiscal year we have raised $75.6 million, which supports academic programs, faculty, student scholarships, athletics and capital improvements. Our friends have confidence in our ability to achieve excellence and invest in the UO despite continued economic challenges.
Finally, this week the state legislature approved bonds for our East Campus Residence Hall project, allowing us to break ground this summer. We need the additional student housing capacity. And once again, with this construction project the UO will bring significant jobs and economic activity to our community.
It is good for us to remember that our students’ success, the faculty’s consistent excellence and our dedicated work force are genuinely remarkable. Speaking as someone who has been here for eight months, I can tell you that this community is qualitatively different--and much better--than we ourselves tend to recognize. Our supporters and many elected leaders clearly recognize this. Thank you for your part in all these good stories.
