Akron Magazine - Winter 2010 - (Page 2)

UP FRONT Excerpts from the 2009 State of the University Address by Luis M. Proenza, President, The University of Akron, October 27, 2009 University of Akron President Dr. Luis M. Proenza underscored the successes of the past year and set in motion the process of steering the University toward the future during his 10th state-of-the-university address on Oct. 27, 2009. Consider a few highlights of what we accomplished in the last academic year: n The Carnegie Foundation recognized the University with a Community Engagement Classification in two categories—Curricular Engagement, and Outreach and Partnerships— something that only one other public university in Ohio can claim. n We extended our international engagement by expanding our partnership with China’s Henan University to become one of only 42 Confucius Institute sites in the United States. n Our faculty were again recognized nationally for research productivity in the latest Association of University Technology Managers’ report, which ranked us 1st among public universities in Ohio in technology licensing, 7th among all U.S. universities without a medical school and 1st nationally when normalized with respect to research expenditures. We also ranked 1st in Ohio for patents produced per research dollar and 3rd in Ohio for number of patents held—and, during 2008-2009, we reported $48.3 million in grants and contracts awarded, up 40.9% from $34.3 million in 2008. n We also set a new fund-raising record in 2008-2009 and announced that we had exceeded our $500-million comprehensive campaign goal, reaching $606 million. n Our fall student headcount showed a 7.6 percent increase, reaching almost 28,000. Student credit-hour production increased by 8.4 percent to make our full-time-equivalent enrollment the highest ever. n Our New Landscape for Learning, which first was conceived as a $200-million investment for six new buildings and eight additions or renovations, has expanded to 16 new buildings, 17 major additions and renovations, 34 acres of new green space, and still several more facilities underway for a total investment of $500 million. In September, we opened InfoCision StadiumSumma Field to a capacity crowd; dedicated the Wayne Campus Student Life Building; and broke ground for the National Polymer Innovation Center. It will open in 2010 along with the Phase One Multiplex Residence Hall and the new South Campus Parking Deck. n Our Inclusive Excellence efforts earned a national award from the non-profit Minority Access Inc., which named UA among an elite group of only 43 colleges and universities as a role model institution for promoting diverse academic environments. n The University earned its second NorthCoast 99 award, which honors the very best places to work in Northeast Ohio. n And lastly, the International Economic Development Council at its 2009 annual conference honored the University Park Alliance, our collaborative effort to transform the 50-block area around our Akron campus. This is a prestigious international award that I am proud to share with the many UPA partners. |2|

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Akron Magazine - Winter 2010

Akron Magazine - Winter 2010