Building on our strength and momentum

As I assume the role of interim president at the University of Minnesota, I’m impressed by our many strengths. We’re clearly among the top public research universities in the nation. Financially, that translates to two years in a row with more than $1 billion in research awards. It means that we’re making discoveries that change lives in Minnesota and around the world, whether in health care, agriculture, or biotechnology. We’re educating the students at all of our campuses—Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities—who will become our future workforce and our next-generation leaders. As we move forward, we will guide our efforts around the University’s comprehensive systemwide strategic plan, MPact 2025. It has been, and will continue to be, a valuable roadmap to help us better serve our students, increase financial stewardship, work toward increased sustainability, and deliver even greater impact to the citizens of this great state.