Lawrence Today magazine, Spring 2009
Dear Lawrentians,
As I write this letter, the snow and ice of winter are giving way to torrential rains of early spring. Still, greening grass is visible through the fog and the first crocus and daffodil leaves are poking through the mud. In a way the scene reminds me of Lawrence’s resilience in rising to address the global financial crisis. Lawrence’s leadership team — working with the University’s Board of Trustees, the Faculty Committee on University Governance, the Long Range Financial Planning Committee and ad-hoc groups — continues to strive to position Lawrence in the best possible way to withstand the volatile financial climate. The protection of Lawrence’s academic and artistic core is paramount. We continue to meet our challenges united in purpose as a community and by striking a balance between short- and long-term perspectives. Just as spring emerges from winter, Lawrence will push through this discontented winter with the momentum to enjoy a future of renewed promise.
In such uncertain times, it is heartening to celebrate the achievements of our community, the accomplishments of our students, and the talent and dedication of our faculty. In this issue of Lawrence Today, you will find stories about:
• The Lawrence Scholars in Business program, which encompasses innovative ways for business students to connect with LU alumni and plan for their post-Lawrence careers. The creation of the program is the result of a productive collaboration between a Lawrence trustee, a Lawrence Fellow, and a distinguished member of our faculty.
• Award-winning composer Garth Neustadter’s composition of a musical score for “The White Sister.” Garth epitomizes Lawrence’s values of innovation, excellence, and dedication. From the President
• Professor Mark Jenike’s Appleton Collaborative Nutrition Project. When we speak of the merits of faculty-student collaborations in research and of the importance of Lawrence acting responsively within the Appleton community, professor Jenike’s work can be seen as a prime example.
• Dean of Enrollment Steve Syverson on the economy and saving for college, topics currently on the minds of many families and alumni.
• The new conservatory webcasts, brought to us by Dean of the Conservatory Brian Pertl, which enable listeners at a distance to join our concerts.
• The new Watson Fellow, Madhuri Vijay. Congratulations to Madhuri on her extraordinary achievement!
Spring brings a resurgence of life, and our campus mirrors this metamorphosis. Lawrence will soon celebrate the opening of the Richard and Margo Warch Campus Center, the construction of which was fully financed by philanthropic gifts. The Warch Campus Center will be a state-of-the-art facility, comprising a cinema, dining areas, post office, convenience store, student programming spaces, and community and office spaces. This unique facility will offer Lawrence students, faculty, staff, and the larger community many opportunities to meet and interact in new and enjoyable ways. I hope to see you there before long!
With best wishes,
Jill Beck
