First Anniversary with Northwood University

Northwood Colleagues:

October marks my first anniversary with Northwood University. It has been an exciting and rewarding time for me.  My family has been very supportive as we have moved and been welcomed into a new life. This year at Northwood has been spent looking, listening, and learning. I have observed a vital university poised to take its place in the upper echelons of higher education.

When one signs on as president of a residential college, it is a commitment that engages the entire family. I asked my wife, Gretchen, if she would share her thoughts about this past year with the Northwood family:

“As I look back on Keith's first year I remember, of course, a lot of driving!  Our lives were divided among two cities and 90 miles and many conflicting commitments. However, the time really flew by and we're glad to now be together under one roof.

Keith spent much of his first year on the run. He was determined to personally visit all three campuses and other NU operations as much as possible to get to know the students, faculty, administration and facilities. Personally, I had no idea Northwood was as big as it is!  In other words, NU is involved in so many parts of the USA and throughout the world, that it required a lot of Keith's time as CEO to get his arms around the operation. He has multiple commencements, celebrations, athletic events, homecomings, holiday parties. Everyone wants to see the president in person...and I, too, try to make as many events as I possibly can.

Another major accomplishment for Keith has been establishing the new administrative team to help create and carry out his vision for Northwood. He is very pleased with the team now in place.

Keith loves his new challenge, as I think you can see. And, the family and I are enjoying the people associated with NU. We particularly like being a part of a residential campus and spending time with students. We feel sincerely welcome and involved with the life of the university and that's what makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

With the support of my family and the welcoming by my new Northwood family, a busy and dynamic first year has set the stage for an even more promising next several years. One of the first goals of my presidency was to refine our mission statement. From four paragraphs to one clear sentence - to develop the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society - this statement serves as our litmus test for everything we do now and everything we will do in the future.

With this statement as our guide, we have begun a process for continuous improvement and a year of focus on engagement. Student retention, faculty and staff development and engagement at all levels are the pillars of how we will strive together to improve our campuses, curriculum and communities.

These weekly messages share our actions and our progress. I hope they are communicating the depth of activity we have already undertaken together. I welcome your feedback and ideas for future newsletters.

As I said at convocation, I believe the best is yet to come and the future is very bright for us.

This has been a wonderful year for my family and for me, and I hope for you and all of our students. We are looking forward to what lies ahead.

Sincerely,

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)