A Message to Commonwealth University Students

 

As the end of August nears, Commonwealth University is off and running in its second academic year. Last week we were thrilled to welcome our students to campus and witness the successful start of classes.  As President, I am eager to see the achievements our students will realize this year under the mentorship and guidance of our dedicated faculty and staff.

To our students—whether you are beginning your first year of college or are returning to campus—I ask you to pursue your dreams with all your energy. The beginning of a new school year is full of promise and possibility. The university holds the promise of exceptional academic experiences and the possibilities offered by extracurricular activities designed to position you for success. It’s up to you to turn possibilities into opportunities.

I have no doubt that every Commonwealth U student has the potential to graduate and go on to make a real difference in the world, no matter what degree you choose to pursue. That is why we want your time as Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties to be rich with learning and growth. I encourage you to fill your time at Commonwealth U with new experiences. Don’t be afraid to push past your comfort zone, reach for unexpected goals, and boldly imagine your path for the future. The world needs your talent, your perspective, and your unique gifts.

Students walk to class at CU-Lock Haven

As educators, your faculty and staff are here to do all we can to support, encourage, and challenge you on the path to success. We always encourage students to reach out for help when you need it. It’s true that we do all we can to support you. But let me also urge you to seek out ways to get involved. Ask your professors how you can enhance your academic experience through research, field experiences, or internships.

CU-Mansfield ushered in the start of the semester with a Convocation Ceremony 

Your college years can change and shape your life. They will provide you with new perspectives, expand your horizons, and help you envision how your unique talents can change the world. I hope you will make good on the Commonwealth U promise by developing a lifelong love for learning and a passion for excellence in all that you do. Get involved on campus through our many clubs and organizations. Try something new. Join your campus student government association. Attend an athletic event and cheer on your fellow students. Get to know the local community your campus calls home. Explore the experiences for networking and personal growth available through Professional U.

Students pause for a photo during the first day of classes at CU-Bloomsburg 

Your college years are what you make them—so make the most of them!

Our campuses are filled with future leaders and changemakers who will go on to make an impact in their communities by using the lessons they learned, the skills they gained, the connections they made, and the opportunities they seized as Commonwealth U students.

I believe in you. And I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

A Historic Time for Public Higher Education

 

As we near the end of August and the summer begins to slip away, those of us in higher education see this time of year as a new beginning. Our students have returned to campus, and the air has filled with equal parts excitement and anticipation.

For our new students, this is the beginning of a life-changing journey. No other transition in life is as transformative as the start of a collegiate career. Remarkable opportunities await and I urge our students to make the most of them. For our returning students, arriving back on campus should feel like a homecoming. They are being reunited with friends, professors, and valued staff members as they move ever closer to their goal of graduating.

That goal of graduation rests at the heart of our mission as educators. I’m encouraged to witness the trajectory we’re taking in Pennsylvania in support of our students and their future success. This is a historic time for public higher education in Pennsylvania. The past few months have seen both a first-of-its-kind integration of public institutions and record investment by the legislature in our state-owned universities. The unprecedented 16% increase in the State System’s appropriation signifies the state’s support of the power and promise of public higher education in Pennsylvania.

We at Commonwealth University are paving the way for bold ideas and collaborations as we embark on a new path that unites three historic institutions—Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. Individually, these schools carry storied legacies of educating students, serving their communities, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders. Together, as Commonwealth University, we will offer students increased access to a broader range of academic programs, opportunities for experiential learning and research, keeping an eye to affordability, while promising a high-quality education powered by high-impact practices. Students graduating from Commonwealth University, many of whom stay and work in the region, will be prepared to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact in their careers and communities.

This season of new beginnings is brimming with possibility and promise, and I hope that, like me, you’re eager to join the journey.

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

Student Athletes move in at Lock Haven

Bloomsburg students are all smiles walking across campus 

Move in day at Mansfield 

    Bashar W. Hanna, President