From the President


Building from Stability O


n December 16 of last year, I was honored to have my contract as Eastern Michigan University president extended


two years to July 2013. I greatly appreciate the Board of Regents support for the positive direction we have set forth, and the outstanding achievements of our faculty, our staff, our alumni and, most importantly, our students. I love Eastern and our students. I consider it a giſt to serve this


historic public university, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to be invited to do that by the Board of Regents. I came to Eastern in July 2008, and in the past two and a half


years I have worked on three overarching priorities: Ignite the spirit and growth of the institution; Focus on academics and the resources to help us beter serve


our students and help lead them to success; and, Improve academic facilities, buildings, residence halls and


grounds. We are making considerable progress in all of these areas. Te renewed spirit and growth can be measured by a more


vibrant, positive campus environment and the 7-percent increase in enrollment over the past two years. In that period, we have recaptured nearly two-thirds—34,994 of the 56,323 credit hours we lost from 2003-2004 to 2008-2009. Te focus on academics is evidenced by the addition of 46


new faculty last year and another 30 searches under way this year, replacing faculty who retired or moved on, while also allowing us to bring in new faculty in key growth areas. Retention is a key measure of student success. Te fall-to-


winter retention rate for first-time students has grown two consecutive years. Te fall 2008 cohort to winter 2009 retention rate was 87.5 percent. Te fall 2009 cohort to winter 2010 rate rose to 92 percent. Te rate increased to 93 percent for the fall 2010 cohort. You don’t have to look further than the new Science Complex,


the largest building project in University history, to see the results of our efforts to improve facilities. A formal “reveal” of the $90 million facility and its signature piece, the spherical classroom/ planetarium, took place in December for news media and the community, garnering rave reviews from students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. Approximately 2,000 students are now working in classrooms and labs, 80 sections of courses are being taught, and 50 faculty and lecturers have moved into


President Martin signs her new contract. Joining her are (L-R) General Counsel Gloria Hage; Regent Roy Wilbanks, Regent Fran Parker, and VP and Secretary for Board Affairs Vicki Reaume.


equipment are helping to dramatically reduce our environmental footprint. “Invest. Inspire. Te Campaign for Eastern Michigan


University” has now reached more than $40 million of the $50 million goal. Tank you to the hundreds of faculty, staff, alumni and friends who are making an important contribution to our efforts to establish and maintain a first-class learning environment in order to beter prepare students for success in their careers. Tank you for your support of Eastern. I hope you share my


enthusiasm for the great strides we are making. As always you can reach me at office_of _the_president@emich.edu.


offices. With high-tech lab space, new faculty offices, open student gathering spaces and a sustainable “green roof,” the new structure brings a visionary, advanced learning environment to our students. At the same time, the massive renovation and modernization


of Pray-Harrold is under way with completion scheduled for this fall; improvements are being made to residence halls including new windows, window treatments and elevators in the First-Year Center; a new stairway has been constructed from the north parking lot; improvements have been made to walkways and green space across campus; and, less visible but equally important, infrastructure improvements such as new heating and cooling


Eastern | WINTER 2011 5


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