Message From the President

Dr. Daniel O'Brien

As I write this message we are beginning our first full week of fall classes. The sounds of happy and excited student voices carry into George Martin Hall from the courtyard, as hundreds of students mill about between classes. I find their bright smiles, enthusiasm, and cheerful presence uplifting. Although I have experienced beginning of term many years over, I never tire of the excitement and energy associated with the start up of a new academic year.

This year we have once again enrolled a record number of new and returning students (2800 full-time; 270 part-time) and we are running against the clock to ensure that all of our students have been accommodated in residence and in classes. We continue to be pleased with the strong student interest in our programmes, and we continue to focus our attention and resources to ensure that all of our students have a high quality educational experience.

This past summer has been particularly busy with many one-of-a-kind, special events. Our first major event was Summer Convocation on the evening of July 24th. This ceremony was first introduced three years ago to accommodate students enrolled in the eleven-month BED and BSW programmes and also attracts BA students who complete their degree requirements after the May Convocation. This year, once again, we were blessed with perfect weather for our outdoor ceremony. A total of 130 degrees and certificates were confirmed before an audience of more than 1000 relatives and friends.

In July, we also held the very successful launch of the Dalton Camp Endowment Campaign. The University received very good coverage of the launch in the local and national media and much positive feedback from the public.

The final special event of the summer was the recent building-naming ceremony in honour of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, a St. Thomas alumnus and 18th Prime Minister of Canada. Virtually all of the feedback received from the participants and the media was positive. I am also pleased to report that the fund-raising component of the naming is already exceeding expectations with more than one half the targeted goal confirmed and the remaining half committed by the “Friends” committee. The committee is co-chaired by our own Senator Noel Kinsella.

We hope to build on this momentum to realize our best year yet. All faculty and staff at St. Thomas continue to be committed to providing the highest quality educational experience possible for our students. I know you, our loyal alumni, can be called upon to help us achieve this goal. So many of you have continued to respond favourably to our various requests for assistance that we have acquired an enviable reputation in the community for having extremely loyal alumni. I am very proud and thankful for this loyalty and support.

I look forward to meeting you at various university-sponsored events or at community-related functions. I would like to encourage you to come forward and identify yourselves as graduates of St. Thomas University – I certainly appreciate it when former students take the time to renew our acquaintance.

In closing, I would also like you to know that I appreciate receiving your advice and comments. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a healthy, productive, and fulfilling year.

Daniel O’Brien
President and Vice-Chancellor

Connections Fall 2002 / Alumni / STU Home