ONE Northwood University

May 9, 2008

Building our Future

Does time seem to be moving more quickly these days? We are in a whirlwind of celebrations across the entire Northwood system.

Commencement arrives for each of our campuses over the next few weeks. We dedicated the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on the Michigan campus on yesterday. The Texas campus has been transformed as the Swalwell Student Union opened its doors in March, with the Gaubert Student Activity Center opening just a year ago. Florida students, faculty, and staff still feel as if the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center is brand new, as do Michigan students as they enjoy the Hach Student Life Center and the campus renovations made possible through the generosity of Dr. Patricia Naegele. The DeVos program in Switzerland is new this year and there is much more in the works.

It is amazing.

Commencement marks a significant stage in a graduate’s life. The years preceding commencement are marked by hard work and study in order to prepare for what lies ahead. Just as the receipt of a diploma signals the onset of one’s lifework, the opening of a building marks the beginning of its function.

We pause to celebrate this transition in our students’ academic lives; we take time to celebrate the inauguration of a new building, but each of these events is only the beginning of what is to come. We have reached a peak in our journey, but we have not reached our destination.

Today, the Board of Trustees is meeting, and a large portion of the discussion is the proposed Northwood University Strategic Plan (NUSP). Talk about a vision! In the past year, we, you, all of us across the system, have met to discuss the future of Northwood University. Everyone had the opportunity to offer input as we looked at each program, each location, and each department.

In the next few weeks we will roll out the NUSP as directed by our Board of Trustees.

There is “good stuff” in this plan…and it will require a lot of hard work to bring it all together. We have an impressive team at Northwood. Our board members, friends, volunteers, faculty, staff and students have proven time and time again we’ve got what it takes.

As we pause to enjoy the many current celebrations, let’s keep our eye on the future because tremendous things lie ahead.

Enjoy the weekend!

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

pretty@northwood.edu

May 9, 2008
	Building our Future Does time seem to be moving more quickly these days? We are in a whirlwind of celebrations across the entire Northwood system. Commencement arrives for each of our campuses over the next few weeks. We dedicated the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on the Michigan campus on yesterday. The Texas campus has been transformed as the Swalwell Student Union opened its doors in March, with the Gaubert Student Activity Center opening just a year ago. Florida students, faculty, and staff still feel as if the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center is brand new, as do Michigan students as they enjoy the Hach Student Life Center and the campus renovations made possible through the generosity of Dr. Patricia Naegele. The DeVos program in Switzerland is new this year and there is much more in the works. It is amazing. Commencement marks a significant stage in a graduate’s life. The years preceding commencement are marked by hard work and study in order to prepare for what lies ahead. Just as the receipt of a diploma signals the onset of one’s lifework, the opening of a building marks the beginning of its function. We pause to celebrate this transition in our students’ academic lives; we take time to celebrate the inauguration of a new building, but each of these events is only the beginning of what is to come. We have reached a peak in our journey, but we have not reached our destination. Today, the Board of Trustees is meeting, and a large portion of the discussion is the proposed Northwood University Strategic Plan (NUSP). Talk about a vision! In the past year, we, you, all of us across the system, have met to discuss the future of Northwood University. Everyone had the opportunity to offer input as we looked at each program, each location, and each department. In the next few weeks we will roll out the NUSP as directed by our Board of Trustees. There is “good stuff” in this plan…and it will require a lot of hard work to bring it all together. We have an impressive team at Northwood. Our board members, friends, volunteers, faculty, staff and students have proven time and time again we’ve got what it takes. As we pause to enjoy the many current celebrations, let’s keep our eye on the future because tremendous things lie ahead. Enjoy the weekend! Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax) pretty@northwood.edu