PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

photo by Michael Sipe

Patterns of progress

The many signs of change and causes for celebration at UVM these days include an increasing recognition of the importance of the University’s role in the educational, social, and economic future of the state of Vermont. This spring we received a great vote of confidence in the University, and in post-secondary education in general, signified by a 4 percent budget increase from the General Assembly, compounded by an additional $1.67 million to UVM for scholarships for Vermont students, and by $1 million supplemental in funding for research important to Vermont’s future. The scholarship funding to UVM represents one-third of what we hope will be an initial and growing commitment to the young people of Vermont. Together, these allocations represent an increase of 10.7 percent to UVM during an era when many states are reducing their higher education support. We are deeply grateful to Governor Douglas and to the members of the General Assembly for their leadership and commitment to helping higher education realize its vital role in our state’s future.

We were honored to have another of Vermont’s great public leaders with us at commencement this spring in the presence of United States Senator James Jeffords. Over the course of nearly four decades, Senator Jeffords has been a devoted public servant for his native state. In the past year, Senator Jeffords played a critical role in the University of Vermont’s designation as one of ten National University Transportation Centers, advancing UVM efforts to identify environmentally and economically sustainable strategies for our country’s critical transportation issues.

Such leadership on environmental and conservation issues will be among the legacies of Senator Jeffords’ years on Capitol Hill. On a host of other issues—health care to education to civil rights—Senator Jeffords has consistently acted with conscience and courage. A true compassionate Vermonter, Jim Jeffords has supported what he believes is right even when, in the world of partisan politics, that has not always been the easy path. In both thought and deed, he is the very embodiment of the independent character of the state of Vermont.

I’m pleased that, following his retirement from the Senate, the next chapter of Senator Jeffords’ professional life and service to Vermont will be centered right here at this University. Senator Jeffords will be undertaking an ambassadorial role at UVM and will be working closely with our College of Education and Social Services and our National Institute on Leadership, Disability, and Students Placed at Risk on issues that are vital to the education and development of our nation’s youth. We are also thrilled that, starting next year, Senator Jeffords will take a direct role in this effort as a James Marsh Professor at the University of Vermont. Having a man of his political expertise and experience working at the University is a rare opportunity.

Senator Jeffords’ future affiliation with our University is another step in a swift pattern of progress over the past several years. These are exciting times at the University of Vermont, and we continue our work with a clear sense that for all of the challenges that lie before us very positive change is under way, with increasing pride in the University, and rising confidence in its ability to build sustainable quality and value.

Rising confidence and pride were reflected in this year’s record undergraduate application pool, up by nearly 5,000 applications from last year’s peak. Such advances are the work of innumerable individuals, most notably the faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, parents, and friends of The University of Vermont. We are immensely grateful to all for your ingenuity, creativity, generosity, and commitment to the University and to the values it represents.

—Daniel Mark Fogel

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