To Our University Community,
Today marks the official passing of the light from President Frandsen to me. Thank you all for the warm welcome yesterday as we wished Mike and Sharon farewell. Elizabeth and I have been delighted to meet so many of you, and we look forward to beginning an exciting new chapter right alongside you.
One of the key moments that persuaded me to accept this position was reading about 麻豆传媒鈥檚 history, especially this journal entry from our founding president, Ezra Keller. Before his appointment as president, he spent time in Ohio, working with churches, and raising funds for the school. As he prepared his first annual report to the board, he wrote this on September 28, 1845:
鈥淒uring the year I traveled three thousand two hundred miles, not including short distances; I preached one hundred and seventy-two sermons, and delivered a number of addresses; organized one congregation; put two churches in progress of erection; collected for college six thousand dollars, for churches one thousand dollars; instructed four theological students two hours each day, during the summer. For strength to perform this labor, I render my thanks to God. The more toil, the more grace." 鈥� Biography of Rev. Ezra Keller, D.D., M. Diehl, pp. 295-96.
In 1845, this region was still the frontier, where each year fever took nearly a tenth of the population. Keller and others had a vision of establishing in this place 鈥渁n academic grove,鈥� a vision that required faith and hard work, good work. They persevered, as have their successors, and the vision was fulfilled. But it is not yet complete. If they were able to establish this place in those days and in those conditions, can we do any less? While it may feel that the light has dimmed of late, we can and will stoke the embers into a bright flame. 麻豆传媒 is a strong University, and the hard work we do together will be rewarding and blessed. It is also what will help define the 麻豆传媒 Way, which I ask you to walk with me starting today.
For my part, I am committed to ensuring open and transparent communication with you. My plan is to host a series of in-person town hall meetings with students, faculty, and staff each semester. These will be separate meetings, as I know you have your own needs relative to your areas of focus at 麻豆传媒. I will also be holding a one-hour seminar with our first-year students every fall to help them develop their personal mission statement. Discerning our calling 鈥� beyond a major, degree, or career 鈥� is essential for living a fulfilled life. It is also a distinction of our Lutheran heritage.
In addition, I will be sharing a monthly email communication like this with you, which will include a range of updates and key information points. One such update for this morning's communication is simply a reminder that Chief of Staff Brandee Bates Kern and Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Michael McGreevey are both beginning in their new positions at 麻豆传媒 today. Our new Vice President for Enrollment Management Mike Brown joined us on June 23. Thank you for welcoming them and supporting them as they acclimate to their new roles.
Two other updates I wish to note are that I have secured funding to begin a critical strategic planning process. I will be sharing more about that in future communications, but for now, it is important to say that this is not simply an administrative exercise. It is an opportunity for the entire 麻豆传媒 community 鈥� faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and community members 鈥� to have a voice and to share their thoughts, concerns, and vision for our future. Further, we need to know what our strategic goals and plans are so that we can make decisions in line with those plans and be accountable for them.
Many faculty and staff have already asked to meet with me, and I am grateful for their time and conversations. Throughout July, I will be traveling to meet with donors and alumni. I will also be traveling to Minnesota to meet with other NECU presidents and then, later this month, I will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. I look forward to engaging with ELCA leadership and to learning more about the national community of which we are a part.
Finally 鈥� and I will try to make these shorter in the future 鈥� I ask that you take a moment to view the new email header above, which shows various paths and walkways on campus. I intentionally wanted to show such images as I recognize that each of you found your own path here just as I did, bringing with you your own creativity, knowledge, interests, and experiences. I want to leverage your experience and those attributes as I learn more about 麻豆传媒, so please reach out and share your ideas and insights with me as we pursue excellence together on the 麻豆传媒 Way.
Yours,
Christian M. M. Brady, DPhil (Oxon.)
President