Miami Student

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Front Page

Hodge held his second annual university address Thursday afternoon in Laws Hall. -Olivia Otten/The Miami Student

In the closing remarks of his second annual address, Miami University President David Hodge spoke of ideas that spanned both the present and future of the university.

"Miami is about to celebrate its 200th year, an enviable and proud moment in our history," Hodge said. "It is a great moment to look back to see where we have been; it is an even greater moment to look forward to where we want to go."

It was in this vein that Hodge spoke to an audience of mainly faculty and staff Sept. 6 in 100 Laws Hall at his yearly address of the university.

In it were plans of improving upon Miami's current level of academic excellence, aims to become a national model for undergraduate education and explanations on what he calls an "engaged university."

Hodge first laid out what he hopes to become Miami's five-year strategic goals, written and finalized by the presidential executive committee in February.

The goals, Hodge said, are not particularly new to the university, but are rather an extension of what the university is already doing.

"(The goals) are kind of a road map for the university," said Student Body President Jens Sutmöller. "They're inspirational as well as logical, sound as they are studied. Hodge is the man with the plan."

The first goal in this plan-one that Hodge stressed throughout the speech-focused on making Miami's undergraduate experience the "best in the country."

According to Hodge, this process involves cultivating standards of high intellect and character in all Miami students.

Already, Hodge pointed out that Miami graduates are noted by employers for being well educated, having a strong work ethic and strong moral values, as well as a high level of initiative-a tradition he wants to continue.

"The defining hallmark of a Miami education is an intense focus on both the intellectual and personal development of our undergraduates, achieved in a large part by an emphasis on the partnership between academic life and student affairs," Hodge said.

Other goals include continuing the push for excellence in the graduate programs offered, as well as a drive for other "scholarly accomplishments," particularly faculty research that can improve the classroom experience.

Continued...

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