From the Vice President...

Terry D. Piper

Look Around - Pride is Busting Out All Over

New banners along Matador Walkway and hanging from the Oviatt; the inaugural Freshman Convocation; new and newly renovated places to eat; construction of new building including parking; and, the President's convocation extolling the excellence of our university and declaring its time to receive the national recognition that we deserve. Yes, PRIDE is busting out all over - do you feel it?

Need more evidence? We had the largest number of applications and admits in the history of the university; in excess of 40,000 FTF, transfer and graduate students. We have enrolled the largest freshman class in the history of the university, about 4,100. The number of international student applicants increased about 35%. Our retention and graduation rates have been on a steady increase for the past several years.

More? Okay if you insist. The National Science Foundation ranked CSUN 2nd in the nation among masters-level universities in preparing students who later earn doctoral degrees. The Accounting program has long had one of the highest first-time passing rates among CA universities for graduates taking the CPA exam. Engineering program ranked 5th among CA public colleges and 14th among U.S. public colleges by U.S. New and World Reports. Marketing Professor Franck Vigneron whose article in the Academy of Marketing Science Review was selected as its Best Paper of the Decade for 1997-2006. Our student Model United Nations team placed FIRST in a nationwide competition. And our engineering and computer science students place first among CA universities in the Formula One Race Car design competition.

Okay, Okay, I think you get the message - we have a lot to be proud about. I have no doubt that each of us could identify something about the CSUN which gives us pride. In fact, I think we should list all of the things that we are proud of. I am challenging everyone in Student Affairs to submit your greatest source of pride here at CSUN. We will publish them in the next newsletter. Please include your name and department so we can also identify you with your statement. Send your statements to della.carroll@csun.edu.

Have a Pride-ful Year!