We have much to celebrate as the world continues to recognize the excellence of Illinois in our faculty, in our student body and as a whole. And, we continue to improve. The British Poet Laureate and novelist, John Masefield, said, There are few things more enduring than a University. The endurance of universities is rooted in their commitment to the continuous generation of new knowledge what Masefield calls the undying cause of bringing thought into the world. We are here at Illinois because the commitment to excellence is also non-negotiable.
Excellence is a word heard often at good and great universities.
But the nature of excellence is rarely examined. Excellence is achieved from a conjunction of students, faculty, staff, facilities, equipment, and significantly attitudes and spirit. Since I ve been here, as I have visited departments across campus, I ve talked repeatedly with people whose original plan it was to come here only for a year or two, but who have stayed for decades. The attitudes and spirit the pride in making this a place where great work can be done permeate the environment. From our crafts workers to the academic professionals who support our teaching, research and service missions, and to the support staff who make so much possible.