This is Why We’re Hot

Wow! As many times that I have heard President Haynes speak and as many times that her words have spoken to me, I was awestruck at convocation as she described to all of us just why California State University San Marcos, our university, is “hot.” In the President’s remarks at convocation, she appreciated the progress we’ve made, recognized the accomplishments we’ve enjoyed, and then boldly led us into the future.

Courageously, she creates a vivid image of what the picture looks like for us in 2010, with deadlines and specificity that had many of us taking notes, written on paper or emblazoned into our long term memories, of our roles in the development of that future. With enrollment growth as a campus of first choice, we will build the buildings – academic buildings, student union, and student housing; improve our student retention; continue our efforts to engage the community – public school partnerships and community service learning; and more.

Yes, we are “hot”…hot for all of the reasons that President Haynes portrayed. But more than that, we are “hot” because of the commitment and collaboration that she instills in us, demands of us, giving us permission to be successful. Thank you President Haynes for your own contribution – your leadership – that inspires the inspired, that motivates the motivated.

We have a clear picture of how our great faculty, of how our great staff, will work together; to serve our students and our community; to plan and act; to assess and reassess; to be bold and courageous – like our President. We have our assignments – the heat has been turned up. Let’s do it.