Once again, people on campus are savoring summer’s
more leisurely pace, flocking outdoors during their
breaks to soak up the sunshine, chat with friends, or
attend the lively noontime concerts on Northrop Mall.
Despite the lush greenery and landscaping
surrounding us—or perhaps because of it—there’s a
hint of wistfulness in the air that’s more in keeping
with autumn than mid-summer.
On May 31, President Mark Yudof announced that he would
leave the University August 1 to become chancellor of
the University of Texas system. In just five years Yudof
has reinvigorated the entire University with his academic
initiatives, his unwavering commitment to improving
the student experience, and his unprecedented campus
building and renovation efforts to support those initiatives.
Yudof is leaving the University well positioned to
continue moving toward its long-term goals. His interim
successor, Robert Bruininks, has 30 years of University
experience, including his service during the past five
years as executive vice president and provost. In that
capacity he’s worked closely with Yudof, the regents,
and deans, and championed the University’s cause
at the state legislature.
Electrical and computer engineering professor Christine
Maziar, who succeeds Bruininks as executive vice president
and provost, has outstanding academic and administrative
experience, deep support among external and internal
communities, and a fine record in her former position
as vice president for research and dean of the Graduate
School.
On June 13, Yudof announced that Campaign Minnesota
had reached its $1.3 billion goal a year ahead of schedule.
Although the campaign has met its overall target, fundraising
efforts to reach all its objectives will continue through
June 2003.
IT’s top priority for Campaign Minnesota’s
final year is to reach our student support goal. Yudof’s
efforts to improve the student experience have paid
off University-wide: a dramatic increase in applications
for admission, a streamlined class registration system,
stimulating freshman seminars and first-year programs,
improved student housing, and a paperless financial
aid process.
These improvements are attracting high-potential applicants,
and our ability to offer them competitive achievement
scholarships can greatly influence their decision to
attend the University and complete their education here.
We must also do more to help students meet the rising
cost of their education by offering scholarships to
talented and needy students. Right now we can’t
assist all our eligible students because we lack adequate
private scholarships.
To address these needs, IT hopes to raise $20 million
for student scholarships by the campaign’s end.
Our goal is ambitious, but during the last five years
Mark Yudof—in word and deed—has reminded us
that students are at the heart of the University’s
mission. With your help we will ensure that his legacy
lives on.
