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Alumni Association Home > May-June 2009   Print View National President's Column 5/6/2009 The U Never Rests Having endured a long, cold winter, many Minnesotans are turning their thoughts to a well-deserved, relaxing summer. There is no rest and relaxation at the University of Minnesota, however. Students are in high gear preparing for finals and searching for summer jobs and internships. Professors are writing grant proposals and conducting research. Administrators are finalizing strategic and operational plans to ensure that the proposed $156 million cut in state support for the University doesn’t jeopardize the future of Minnesota’s most critical research and educational institution. These are challenging economic times that call for creative, sensitive, and well-reasoned solutions. And the University is perfectly suited to be a thoughtful and innovative leader during these difficult times. The future of our state and our nation depends on the quality of the education our children and grandchildren receive. With baby boomers moving closer to retirement, the demand for highly educated, skilled, and talented workers will be increasing in the coming years. Students at the U are getting a great education and are becoming capable critical thinkers who will find solutions to our current and future problems. When I attended the U, my own intellectual development and problem-solving skills were fueled by astronomy professor Karlis Kaufmanis’s passion and love of learning, philosophy professor Marcia Eaton’s curiosity and inquisitiveness, law professor Barry Feld’s reasoned intellect and commitment to social justice, and theater professor Arthur Ballet’s powerful presentations and command of the English language. Exceptional education is invaluable and should never be compromised, especially during periods of economic hardship when innovation and new ideas are sorely needed. While many sectors of our economy are lagging, students and potential students, alumni, and businesses clearly understand the value of this university. The number of applications to the U is way up—33,000 people applied for fall 2009 admission, up 16 percent from last year. The percent of students who were in the top 10 percent of their high school class was at 44 percent in 2007, that’s up 17 percent from a decade earlier. The four-year graduation rate in 2007 was at 45 percent, up 25 percent from 1997. The U has raised $233 million for scholarships and fellowships since 2003, and more than 7,000 students now receive financial support through private gifts. The three largest gifts in the U’s history were received in the past 12 months. And the U continues to fuel innovation and economic growth in Minnesota in big and small ways. For example, U faculty were awarded more than $600 million in research grants last year. And, last year, engineers and students in the Institute of Technology helped more than 50 companies realize energy savings of over $3 million through the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program. The U is making progress on all fronts, and we need to make sure that reductions in public funding don’t cripple this institution, which is the economic engine for our state. The Alumni Association keeps alumni and friends of the U informed about the U’s progress, helping thousands advocate and be ambassadors for the U. Become an ambassador by joining the Legislative Network, attending a speakers’ tour gathering to hear from alumni and U officials, and staying plugged in through this magazine and our Web site. And then, this summer, when you’re golfing or at a picnic, share the word about the importance of the U with your friends and neighbors. Visit www.alumni.umn.edu for more information. This is my final column as national board president, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of alumni I met over the months for an outstanding year. The excellence of the U is due in large part to your passion and commitment, and being an ambassador alongside you has been a privilege.    —Bruce Mooty (B.A. ’77, J.D. ’80)

Last modified on 5/12/2009 12:06:39 PM ©2009 by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. The University of Minnesota Alumni Association is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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