In the annual review of the College, Provost Meszaros specifically commented on our attention to advising. That extends to both graduate and undergraduate education. It is of no surprise to me that the program committee made the decision to focus this meeting on advising and mentoring of students because of your good example and desire to maintain excellence in this area. We know that the foundation to the advising is also the innovative excellence of the instruction they receive in this College as well. We are known as a College of excellent teachers.
Evidence is found with the number of teaching awards and the accolades delivered by students.
Last year we focused on diversity as an issue of both the faculty and student body. We did realize a modest gain in the number of African American faculty but maintained status quo with the student body. We accomplished a great deal however. Thanks to the excellent work of the program committee of last year, we raised awareness and sensitivity. Hopefully, in years to come, we will realize the diversity in actual numbers.