President Speaks about Future of University

President James Birge delivered the State of the University Address (photo: Sheila Vargas)

by Sheila Vargas
edited by Abbie Tumbleson

The State of the University Address given by the newly appointed fourth President James Birge on March 2, 2010 was described as “the first of its kind” by Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Kim Mooney.

Dr. Mooney introduced the President and informed the audience that Birge was there to both inform the campus community of updates that have been taking place and also to speak of further plans behind charting a new course for the university.

Pierce Hall was so full of onlookers as Birge took the podium.  Many opted to stand in the back in order to get a better look. Birge explained right away the three important points he was going to cover. They included his personal reflections on the university such as where we are and where we are headed, the current health of the university and what the school can do to improve, and his future plans for the College at Rindge, that are either currently in progress or are going to be implemented soon.

Out of the three categories, Birge spoke mostly about his reflections on the university as the new president. “We have what is necessary to become the college of choice for parents and students,” said Birge.

The current retention rate is up 1%, according to Birge.  He said, “Even though that may not seem very high, 1% is equivalent to fourteen students.”

Birge spoke proudly about the deeper appreciation he has gained for the Franklin Pierce community. This, he said, is due to various factors such as students and alumni telling him positive impacts the Franklin Pierce faculty has had on their lives.  There were also messages of thanks from the local community for the volunteer work students do off campus. He recognized Mooney, the senior staff advisors, and faculty. Birge described his various encounters with these people as being both “awesome and humbling.”

When speaking on the topic of the university’s health, President Birge chose to cover three specific aspects that need to be strengthened for an even healthier campus life. Included were leadership, enrollment and finances. Birge told the audience that although undergraduate deposits are looking good for the next academic school year, there needs to be a budget set on conservative efforts. He recognized Richard Marshall as the upcoming new Vice President of Financing.

On the future of Franklin Pierce Birge described five different organizations on campus, from the Student Government Association to the Integrated Market group, that are working hard to improve the overall value and importance of the campus and its students.

When asked afterward if there was one specific point he hoped people took away from his speech, he said, “We have to improve the retention rate. Each and every one of us has to be committed to helping the students and community.”