We hope you enjoy this issue of The Statement, from the cover story about alumnus Chris Mirabelli (’77) to the articles about current students and faculty. In May, nearly 1,400 new Fredonia graduates celebrated earning their degrees, and we hope they will aspire to have careers like those of Dr. Mirabelli or James Douglas, who spoke at Commencement about his decades of work at the Smithsonian Institution.
This is a time of tremendous change in public higher education, as the cost of education shifts from the state to students and families, and as more reporting and compliance become part of our regular work. At Fredonia, we remain focused on providing access for talented students, offering rigorous academics and vibrant campus life, and encouraging and supporting students to graduate on time.
When you visit campus, you’ll see the ways a Fredonia education is enhanced by new spaces. The Science Center shows the attention to hands-on and collaborative learning, commitment to student research opportunities, and effective uses of technology. The Rockefeller Arts Center addition — expected to open in 2016 — will feature similarly transformative spaces for learning in visual and performing arts. Partnership with EC English, a global company providing language instruction, is bringing international students to campus and supporting English-language learners on campus and beyond. The Fredonia Technology Incubator in Dunkirk is one of many places where students have meaningful internships, bridging classroom instruction with the professional experiences that will help them be successful in their careers.
In addition to the spaces, there is innovation in faculty research, approaches to the curriculum, student support services, and community engagement. When you’re here for Homecoming (Oct. 23-25), you’ll be able to see this for yourself. Please connect with departments and others, as today’s students would benefit greatly from hearing about your experiences and perspectives.
We hope to see you on campus soon. In the meantime, best wishes for the fall season!
Dr. Virginia S. Horvath, President, Fredonia
Dr. David Fountaine, ’79, ’89, President, Fredonia Alumni Association
