Fall, 2009 Welcome from President Allen

 
Greetings and welcome back to UNI. We are looking forward to a year filled with new challenges, new opportunities and new milestones.

While the recent economic conditions have affected all of us, the UNI community's resourcefulness and the availability of stimulus funds allow us to continue to have a powerful impact on the success of our students and the well being of the state of Iowa.

Our priorities, which are to build an even stronger undergraduate program, to lead the state in Pre-K through 12 education issues, and to increase our service to the state, continue to guide our efforts here at UNI. Initiatives for sustainability and diversity are also important.

Commitment has been strong in helping to develop the Iowa Core Curriculum and in leading the early success of the Iowa Math and Science Education Partnership. This past year, our educational leadership was enhanced further with campus visits by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Roy Romer of Strong American Schools, and Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey. The future looks bright, as well. Planning is underway to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to campus May 18, 2010, for an event dedicated to the importance of education.

We are very pleased that the state appropriations bill signed by the governor this spring established Iowa's first statewide research and development school. In alignment with our priorities, UNI's Malcolm Price Laboratory School will be home to this statewide resource. It will strengthen our connections with the Iowa Department of Education, our collaborations with our sister public institutions and our partnerships with education at all levels.

This year, we also welcome Gloria Gibson to the UNI family as our new executive vice president and provost. We look forward to her leadership.

As always, we encourage you to fully engage as part of the UNI community. Celebrate with pride during Maucker Union's 40th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Join us in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the UNI Foundation, the Alumni Association's 130th anniversary, and the 100-year celebration of the President's House. Wherever you are, whenever you can, proudly acknowledge yourself as an integral part of this great university. You have every reason to do so.