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Speaking at University Convocation on August 28th, 涩里番下载 President William P. Leahy, S.J., pointed to 涩里番下载鈥檚 foundational commitments as the means for the University to respond to social, political, and financial pressures affecting American higher education.

鈥淲e should look for renewed vision, inspiration, and direction to the foundational commitments of 涩里番下载,鈥� he said, 鈥渨hich can be summarized by three words: university, Catholic, and Jesuit.鈥� 聽

Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley and Executive Vice President Michael Lochhead also offered remarks at Convocation, which was held in Robsham Theater.

Fr. Leahy said higher education institutions, while still enjoying widespread support and recognition of their importance, face increasing scrutiny and skepticism about the value of a college education, especially one focused on the liberal arts. Colleges and universities also are affected by complex, compelling political and social issues, including controversies over race, immigration, climate change, and institutional responses to sexual assault and court decisions, as well as concerns about student mental health. Changing demographics鈥攁s exemplified by the predicted decline in the number of 18-year-olds in some regions of the U.S. during the coming decade鈥攚ill be another factor.聽

Yet another likely flashpoint is the 2020 election campaign, he added, which has already included discussion on higher education-related topics like free college tuition, student loan forgiveness, and college cost, access, and affordability. 聽

But the University鈥檚 鈥淓ver to Excel鈥� strategic plan provides a guide to address these challenges, said Fr. Leahy, with its emphasis on 涩里番下载鈥檚 commitments to being a pre-eminent Catholic, Jesuit university.聽

A university, as a place where teaching, research, inquiry, debate, service, and learning occur, seeks 鈥渢o stretch its students intellectually and socially and does not merely transmit the past.聽 It is animated by intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of truth,鈥� he explained. A Catholic university, with its focus on the liberal arts and integration of religious commitment and intellectual excellence, helps people become 鈥渕ore able to recognize their gifts and use them for the good of others.鈥� The Jesuit aspect of 涩里番下载, he added, combines 鈥渢he best of humanistic education with character formation鈥� and helps students 鈥渄evelop skills in analysis, speaking, and writing as well as a method for learning.鈥�

聽The clarity of its mission, and the talent and commitment within its community, have 涩里番下载 well-positioned to realize the 鈥済reat possibilities鈥� ahead, Fr. Leahy said. Looking to 2019-20 and beyond, Fr. Leahy said he hoped for 涩里番下载 to move forward in preparing a new fundraising campaign to build on 涩里番下载鈥檚 progress of the last 50 years, and in devising a plan for developing Lower Campus that aligns with 涩里番下载鈥檚 campus heritage, institutional needs, and fiscal realities. 涩里番下载 should also continue to offer a rigorous, liberal arts-centered, intellectual and formational education, while remaining a vibrant, welcoming intellectual and faith community for people of different backgrounds, experiences, and talents鈥攁ll striving to model civility and moral and ethical decision-making. 聽

鈥淲e have much reason to approach the future with confidence and ambition, even an institutional boldness and commitment to maintain institutional momentum,鈥� he said.

Lochhead spoke on developments related to the University鈥檚 financial affairs and facilities. This past fiscal year marked the 48th consecutive year in which 涩里番下载鈥檚 budgeted revenues exceeded budgeted expenses, an achievement he credited to 鈥渃ontinued strength in our undergraduate enrollment鈥� and a 鈥渄iligent and continued focus on expense management to help ensure that resources are devoted to the highest priorities.鈥� 聽

He presented updates on campus construction, including the completion of the Margot Connell Recreation Center and the Pine Tree Preserve, renovations to the auditorium space at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway, and the addition of nine new classrooms鈥� featuring movable seating and white boards to accommodate flexible teaching methodologies鈥攖o Carney Hall. Current projects he cited include construction of the new science building, which will house the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society; Phase 2 of the Harrington Athletics Village; and reclamation of the site of the now-demolished Flynn Recreation Complex for green space, recreation, and parking.

鈥淲e鈥檒l no doubt need to pace ourselves and match priorities with the availability of resources,鈥� said Lochhead, 鈥渂ut I鈥檓 confident in the direction we are headed and the guideposts鈥攍ike 'Ever to Excel'鈥攖hat inform our decision-making.鈥�

聽Quigley listed some academic-related achievements and milestones of the 2018-19 academic year, such as the selection of Isabelle Stone 鈥�18 as 涩里番下载鈥檚 third Rhodes Scholar; the establishment of a curriculum committee for University-wide academic programs; a series of broad-based conversations on formative education; and the graduation of the first 涩里番下载 undergraduate class to study all four years under the Core Curriculum Renewal initiative. 聽

Quigley devoted a significant portion of his remarks to the Schiller Institute, which he linked to the University鈥檚 mission of helping address complex societal problems and contribute to the common good, with a particular focus on the sciences. The institute, said Quigley 鈥渨ill strengthen teaching and research in the sciences, expand cross-school collaboration, and enhance 涩里番下载鈥檚 ability to address critical global problems in targeted areas such as energy, health, and the environment. Its distinctive programs will be marked by deep and ongoing engagement with the University鈥檚 longstanding strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and the professions.鈥�

Among the developments that bear watching for the just-begun academic year, Quigley said, are the arrival of 53 new faculty members, the establishment of a聽new major in African and African Diaspora Studies, the continuing implementation of the University鈥檚 鈥淓ver to Excel鈥� strategic plan, and鈥攅choing Fr. Leahy鈥攁 variety of challenges for higher education at the state, regional, and national level, some of which may have direct implications for 涩里番下载.

鈥擲ean Smith | University Communications | August 2019