October 2011

Sisterhood is Powerful! Brotherhood is too!

Over the years the phrase “Sisterhood is Powerful” has popped into my mind as a reminder of the positive experience I had as an undergraduate member of a national sorority. I have no recollection of where that particular phrase originated, but it has remained with me for a very long time!

By becoming a member of Gamma Phi Beta, I was able to affiliate with a group of young women who shared my core values and interests, and the support we provided for one another as college students trying to develop into adults was priceless. My experience also helped me develop leadership skills as well as friendships and connections that have been important to me over the years.

Every October, our campus celebrates “Greek Week” with a series of events and activities designed to highlight our Greek-letter sororities and fraternities. While a few of these organizations have a history with the university, a number of them have been established within the last few years.

Having such groups on campus provides an avenue for students to affiliate, as I did, with like-minded colleagues who share the same values and interests and who are seeking the opportunity as college students to form lifelong connections.

An enormous amount of work takes place to make these dreams become a reality. It is important for the campus and its constituents to continue to provide support for these endeavors, particularly during the first few years of operation, so that the groups can develop a firm foundation.

This year, I am especially pleased to note the national awards our Greeks have won. These awards are so numerous that I wanted to make sure everyone shared in the success of our outstanding students and their work. The awards are listed at “Compete.” In particular, two student chapter presidents were named as “outstanding leaders of the year” – Andrew Fink (outstanding Grand Master, Kappa Sigma) and Laura Macko (Archon of the Year, Phi Sigma Sigma). In addition, Andy was chosen as a student advisor to the board of his national organization. As always, “Leaders and Best.” 

Ruth J. Person
Chancellor
 

Compete

Convene

This month we brought together the members of our health care community and our faculty and staff to celebrate the appointment of Dr. David Gordon as our new dean of the School of Health Professions and Services (SHPS). We welcome him to the UM-Flint family.

On October 12, Regent Olivia Maynard will be honored at a special celebration. Two of our employees, Larry King, Senior Facilities Architect, and Todd Toulouse, Laboratory/Classroom Services Supervisor, will be celebrated for 30 and 40 years of service, respectively, on October 17 in Ann Arbor. We convened our faculty who are participating in the Faculty Mentoring Program on October 6 for a reception at Ross House. Our entire faculty has been invited to a Fall Open House on October 18. Finally, we will gather to honor Chris Waters as Associate Provost on October 27. Quite a month of celebration!

Connect

During my visit to Phoenix to attend a HLC meeting, I had the opportunity to connect with the staff of the Pat Tillman Foundation, whose office is in Tempe, AZ. We had a wonderful visit and I was able to thank the staff personally for their support of our campus through the Tillman Military Scholars Program.

Our Greek community connected in a big way on October 11 at my annual Greek Picnic. We had close to 100 members of this great group present, some of which are pictured here.


Greek Picnic at Ross House
 

On My Calendar