WWU President Bruce Shepard addresses faculty and staff at 2009 convocation

Submitted by admin on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 12:16pm

WWU President Bruce Shepard delivered this address to faculty and staff members on Sept. 16, 2009.

The first few lines:

Cyndie and I are delighted to be here with you.  A year ago, you were welcoming us.  This morning, we welcome you as we gather together to begin a new academic year.

I love the rhythms of the academic life, particularly the excitement as a new year begins.  I expect you, as have I for the past 37 years of opening sessions, feel a twinge of anxiousness about the unknowns ahead, but, predominantly, excitement about the challenges and opportunities of a whole new academic year awaiting us all.

The anticipation of open terrain awaiting our footprints.

All summer, I pondered how best to use these moments, how to make them of greatest value to you.  This is a rare opportunity to speak to the university assembled.   You have every right to expect me to candidly and fully share my best thinking. 

To read the full text of this speech, visit http://www.wwu.edu/president/speeches/Fall_Address_09/FallAddress1.shtml.