Annual Report FY08
Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008
By actively engaging external and internal constituents in events and programs, we at the Office of Presidential Events and Programs (PEP) seek to promote the University’s vision for advancement and engagement. We’d like to share highlights from 2007-8.
Each year PEP develops traditional academic ceremonies such as Honors Convocation and Commencement to take on current and timely issues. In 2008, David Richman, professor of theatre and humanities, spoke at Honors Convocation, and Michael Brown, cofounder of City Year, spoke at Commencement. The Commencement Fair supported these events, making it easy for graduating seniors and their families to celebrate this important milestone.
The breakdown of our budget shows that academic events comprise the majority of our budget. Commencement alone brings about 16,000 guests to campus.
In 2007, PEP kicked off the academic year by celebrating New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary status with FOX News Republican Debate. Shortly afterward, our work with the University’s Academic Convocation helped launch the yearlong program, A University Dialogue on Democracy.
When legislators meet students and faculty members, they learn about the University in a personal and memorable way. PEP took the University to the state capital in Concord for the Legislative Breakfast. Smaller breakfast meetings with local delegations allowed for more informal conversations.
New events in FY08 included the President’s Distinguished Speakers Series and the Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market Competition. Outreach programs such as the Speakers Bureau and the Community Resource Guide helped extend the work of faculty and staff to the state and region.
A strong community on and off campus is fundamental to the University’s effectiveness. Events that PEP worked on to build community include University Day, New Faculty Picnic, International Community Reception, Durham Community Breakfast, and Holiday Skating Party. The president’s State of the University Address continues to be the key media event that communicates to the University’s constituencies.
Visit these pages to learn more about these important and exciting events.