A new school year is upon us

The calendar in my office and the weather outside indeed indicates that summer is still with us. But, for those of us in higher education, August means the start of another academic year is here. Many of our returning students have been busy this summer with internships and study abroad trips (along with their summer jobs). Weekly I hear from our faculty about the great work our students have been doing at these internships, some of which we have been able to highlight on our website. I hope you’ll take a moment to read over some of the stories.

 During the week of Aug. 20, we will welcome the class of 2022 to campus. Move-in week is a milestone event in the lives of both students and parents. For many of our students, they are the first member of their families to attend college. They venture into the unknown, but we are here to assist them in any way possible. Our Orientation Workshop Leaders (OWLs) are not afraid to offer a helping hand to someone who might be lost or needs a hand pushing a cart of a ramp or a hill. During move-in week many bonds of friendship are formed among our new students as they take part in many activities and learn what it takes to be on their own for the first time.

I can also report that it has been a busy summer for work crews here on campus. Some days have been tougher than others maneuvering around lower campus and getting to upper campus has been a challenge at times. If you have not been here over the summer, you will notice some big changes.

To start, the entrance to campus at Lightstreet Road, Swisher Circle and Country Club Road has been undergoing a summer-long rehabilitation. Turning lanes have been built, sidewalks added, curbing installed and new lighting will brighten the area at night. It will hopefully relieve the backups that occur in the morning and afternoons as well as when we host big events.

Also, work continues on the Lycoming Hall renovation with the exterior stairway construction still to be finished along with air conditioning and other inside renovations.  On upper campus work on the pool is being done and a new addition to Redman Stadium is on the way. (I hope you’ll get to the season-opener on Sept. 1 to see what’s new.)

I hope that everyone enjoys what is left of the summer season and has a great 2018-19 academic year. As always, if you see me out on campus, in a dining hall or having a coffee, please come up and say hello. I want to meet as many of you as possible.

Go Huskies!

Bashar