|
"Inside FAU" - June 2009
(video transcript)
BACK
From President Frank T. Brogan
Hello again. I'm coming to you today, at the end of a very long fiscal year, to thank you for bearing with us as we grappled with funding problems of unprecedented severity. I'd like to offer special thanks to the faculty, staff, administrators, students and friends of FAU who worked long hours to develop the budget that will enable us to move forward as an institution.
Some very difficult decisions had to be made along the way, decisions that were welcomed by no one but made necessary by the critical nature of the University's financial situation. Again, please accept my thanks for your patience and assistance during an extraordinarily stressful period.
As we approach the end of this challenging year, it's important to remember that we have much to celebrate. Our Admissions Office has received an astounding 15,000 applications for the 2,500 spots available in this fall's freshman class - that's an all-time high for FAU. Student housing for the fall semester is full on both the Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses.
All of this is taking place as our academic standards for incoming students are steadily rising, putting us in the enviable position of being able to choose the cream of a very large crop of fine students. Clearly, FAU is gaining in popularity among Florida's traditional student base, and for very good reason. From its innovative freshman learning communities to its cutting-edge research activities, FAU is becoming a widely recognized leader in higher education.
This year's accomplishments include:
* A $22.5 million award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish an ocean exploration center at Harbor Branch;
-
The continued excellent work of our world-class faculty in FAU's classrooms, lecture halls and laboratories;
-
The dedication of Fort Lauderdale's first large-scale solar roof installation, a student-inspired project that's attracted international attention;
-
The FAU Foundation's successful fundraising campaign, which exceeded its goal for this year;
-
The groundbreaking for the new headquarters facility of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, which will be the first platinum-level energy efficient building in the State of Florida;
-
The listing of the College of Business in The Princeton Review's best business school rankings for 2009;
-
The opening of the Marleen and Harold Forkas Alumni Center, a long-awaited hospitality center for the University's growing family of graduates;
-
And let's not forget that amazing Motor City Bowl victory, the second such achievement in two years for our very young and very talented football team.
Without a doubt, this was a year of high accomplishment as well as a year of serious challenges for Florida Atlantic University. And now our eyes are on the future, on the year that lies ahead and all the opportunities it's sure to bring. We'll face it together, as we always have, working through the rough spots and taking pride in our University as we continue to guide its development as a leading 21st century institution.
Thank you again for all you do for FAU. I'm so grateful to have the privilege of serving as president of this wonderful University, and I know that FAU's best days are still ahead. As we look to next year, I'll be coming to you from time to time to keep you informed about the great things that are happening at FAU.
BACK
Inside FAU is produced by University Communications & Marketing on behalf of the Office of the President.
Questions/Comments: office_of_the_president@fau.edu
|
