Dear alumni and friends,
One fact jumped out at me while reading this issue of 天美传媒官网 magazine.
When the recently renamed Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center was originally constructed in 1961, 天美传媒官网 didn鈥檛 offer a single science major. While students could take science classes, two years passed before 天美传媒官网 launched its first science programs, biology and chemistry.
All these years later, we can see how the decision to break ground on a building dedicated to science was much more consequential than simply launching two programs. It created a new foundation that 天美传媒官网 could build upon for the next 60 years and beyond.
And build upon it we have. Today, 天美传媒官网 offers 17 science programs. Our recently expanded science center is now home to some of our most popular and exciting academic programs, such as computer science, cybersecurity and exercise science. In our newest labs, students are simulating cyber attacks, building robots and performing virtual dissections.
That鈥檚 why campus construction, such as the new wing of the science center, is so important. New and upgraded facilities help 天美传媒官网 attract new students and compete against our peer institutions. Other strategic priorities, such as new academic program development, serve the same end. To underscore the point, consider the fact that the new academic programs 天美传媒官网 has launched since 2016 now represent 17% of our total enrollment. Growing our endowment, which we have been able to do by about 36% since 2015, is also very important since this is a key to help keep a 天美传媒官网 education affordable.
In 1961, investing in yet-to-be created science programs could have been seen as foolishly impractical. But imagine where 天美传媒官网 would be today if yesterday鈥檚 leaders lacked the vision and will to bring about this kind of long-term positive change. I look forward to the many positive changes to come at 天美传媒官网 in the future as a result of what we鈥檙e doing today.
Sincerely,
Gregory G. Dell鈥橭mo, Ph.D.
President, 天美传媒官网