"Inside FAU" - April 2011
Hello, and welcome to another edition of
"Inside FAU," a webcast that's designed to keep you informed about
interesting things that are happening at Florida Atlantic
University.
I'm M.J. Saunders, the President of FAU, and today I want to
talk to you about the importance of the research and creative
activities that are being pursued by our faculty members and
students.
We all know that universities occupy a very special place in
our society and in all countries worldwide. It is at universities
that existing knowledge is passed on to the next generation through
teaching, that new knowledge is discovered through research and
that new insights into the human experience are expressed through
creative activities. Universities are unique in their ability to
draw students into all of these enterprises and, in so doing,
inspire the next generation of teachers, scholars, scientists and
artists.
I am very proud of all of the work that is taking place at
FAU in these core areas of our mission as well as in the community
outreach efforts of so many members of the University community.
These functions -- teaching, research and creative activities, and
civic engagement -- come together to give universities their
distinctive role in modern life.
As we celebrate this fiftieth anniversary year of our
University, we look back upon a truly amazing half-century of
growth.
From the very beginning, FAU faculty members have been known
for their outstanding skill as classroom teachers and their
dedication to students. They have maintained these critically
important qualities as their number has grown from an original
founding faculty of 80 pioneers to today's fifteen-hundred men and
women who are teaching and mentoring more than 28,000 students on
seven campuses.
Dramatic advances have taken place in the research arena as
our faculty and student researchers have moved forward on a wide
variety of fronts, from investigating the deadly mysteries of
cancer and AIDS to harnessing the power of ocean currents to
generate clean, renewable energy.
Our arts and humanities scholars are making their own very
important contributions to the University's growth in the 21st
century by using their diverse gifts to bring us thought-provoking
art, beautiful music, incisive writing and first-rate theatre and
dance performances.
And across all of our colleges faculty, students and staff
are generously devoting their time, energy and talents to outreach
efforts that are providing essential services to people in the
outside community.
Taken together, these are the endeavors that define a
university and give it singular importance among society's many
institutions.
This year, we are joining in a celebration of all that
Florida Atlantic University has achieved over a period of 50 years
as an evolving center of education, research, creative activity and
civic engagement. We have a great deal to be proud of AND a great
deal to look forward to as our University continues to accomplish
great things! Thank you for all that YOU are doing for FAU!