December 18, 2003
Dear Colleagues,
Congratulations and thank you for a wonderful fall semester. Now it is time for a short break to rest, regroup, and revitalize ourselves for the remainder of the year. Given your accomplishments this semester, it is, indeed, a well-deserved break.
The fall semester saw the first increase in enrollment in eight years. Not only did we enroll more students but we saw an increase in TOPS eligible freshmen students of over 20%. That success happened because everyone faculty, staff, and students worked together. We also enlarged our faculty-student mentoring program, Emerging Scholars, to include 100 students and faculty. Paulo Fazioli paid us a visit from Italy for a concert featuring two of his Fazioli concert grand pianos. ULM is the only university that houses two of these master creations.
This semester has seen substantial progress on our Strategic Plan. Under the capable leadership of Jeff Galle, over 125 people are helping to establish the future direction for ULM. We also hosted a Regional Economic Development Summit on our campus, and continue to provide leadership as we explore all of the options for improving our economic viability. Physical improvements to the campus continue, and I want to thank all of you for your hard work in making our campus clean and attractive. It was obvious at the Hanging of the Greens and Lighting of the Christmas Tree, which was attended by hundreds of people, that students, prospective students, and the entire northeast Louisiana community have taken notice of the renewed spirit on our campus, something they most readily see in the physical appearance.
At the Hanging of the Greens, I noted that there is no time of year when light is a more prevalent symbol; shopping malls, Christmas trees, lights on houses, candles at churches and temples and in homes, and now on university campuses. Light is a symbol of hope and charity. Hope does not mean simply wishing that good things will happen. It means committing to the pursuit of those good things, and having confidence that we will attain them. Here at ULM, we continue to pursue excellence in every endeavor. Some efforts are visible, such as the rebirth of the fountain, the enrollment increase, and the highest increase in student satisfaction of any institution in Louisiana. Others are not so visible, but may be even more important, such as the change in the way we feel about ourselves and ULM.
Next year will be even better as we reach out to more students through not only recruiting but distance and online instruction and the possible exploration of the service learning concept. Imagine where we will be if next year is as good as this one.
This is also the time of year to remember how blessed we are. The psalmist wrote, "Send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me." Our University does not retreat to an ivory tower where we can cut ourselves off from the communities around us. We are a light for northeast Louisiana. Our students and graduates alike are expected to be lights for Louisiana and the world. We must use the resources we have here to become the best at our professions and to give something back to all of those who make it possible.
Once again, thank you for all of the effort you give to our students, and to the renaissance of this great university. I wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing all of you after the break.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President