skip to main navigation skip to page content

2009 Fall Convocation Speech - Conclusion

Speech Segments

  1. Introduction and Appreciation
  2. Achievements: Year in Review
  3. Furloughs
  4. Quick Wins
  5. Diversity
  6. Community Needs
  7. Organizational Structure
  8. Growth
  9. Planning and Vision
  10. Cofrin Gift
  11. Budget Recovery
  12. Conclusion

Fall 2009 Convocation Video

‘Conclusion’ Video Transcript

So, let me just conclude by making just a few more brief comments. This campus has a sense of community. We need to continue to care about one another. We need to continue working together and if we do, we can still do great things in higher education in the United States, right here at UWGB.

We need to proceed with optimism. That’s sometimes hard to do, and I am optimistic. I do believe we’re going to come back, and we’re going to come back very, very strong. I believe that better days are ahead of us. Not just better days than today, better days from three, four or five year ago. I think we are on the precipice of some great things coming to and coming out of UWGB.

Now I embrace the challenge. I didn’t come here with my eyes closed. I knew exactly, well almost exactly, what you were facing. I was not unaware. So I embrace this challenge. This is an opportunity for me that I really feel good about. I want to work with you.

We, together, will determine the best ways to overcome the obstacles we have and we will emerge as a greater University. Well, that’s my hope. And I think we can do it. I believe in it. And I thank you so sincerely for what you do for our students, what you have historically done for our students and what you will do specifically this year for our students. And I wish you a productive, rewarding and happy semester.