Academic Convocation – September 12, 2006

Welcome

If I have not yet had the chance, I want to welcome—and welcome you back— to an exciting new academic year at the University of New Hampshire. It is an honor and a pleasure to share this new beginning with you.

Under Provost Bruce Mallory’s guidance, the University has re-established the tradition of beginning each year with a celebration of academic life. Once the semester starts, we all quickly become engaged with what we love best, whether as scholars, researchers, mentors, students, or administrators. But before we do, this gathering gives us all a chance to hear from our faculty, in this case, our newest Discovery Authors. These are the scholars who will provide the “energy” behind “Power to the People,” this year’s University dialogue which will extend across the disciplines and across the University over this academic year.

What a beautiful place to hold this event! We’ve certainly come a long way. When I was the dean of students back in the 1970’s, Dimond Library was perhaps best known for its orange and yellow carpeting! The improvements to this building, which were made possible through public and private funds, have given us an inspirational space in which to think and learn.

I am delighted to be with such a talented group of faculty and staff. You bring your expertise and energy to your colleagues and students and engage them in your research. Together you form a vital partnership that is based upon your common belief that education changes lives.

This year, we welcomed more than 30 new faculty to UNH. They add to our already talented faculty in such areas as Anthropology, Business, Engineering, English, History, Kinesiology, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology and many more.  Whether you are a veteran of the academy, with years of teaching, research, and service or a new professor starting your career in higher education, if you are a student, staff or community member, welcome to what promises to be an exciting exploration of a critical issue of our day.

Now I would like to introduce Provost Mallory to guide this afternoon’s proceedings.