One year ago, I joined the University of Iowa community and immediately knew I’d come to a remarkable place. The University’s embrace of exploration and engagement, its balanced commitment to the arts and sciences, its outstanding opportunities for students at all levels of study, and the support it enjoys from proud Iowans are truly inspirational.
But most of all, I’m inspired by the individual students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends whose creativity, curiosity, compassion, and vision demonstrate their personal dedication to our university and its missions.
This report introduces you to a few of the people who keep The University of Iowa an innovative, vibrant, and vital institution. It also offers a snapshot of Iowa achievements from the 2008 fiscal year and ongoing progress toward the goals established in the University’s strategic plan, The Iowa Promise.
Our individual and collective dedication to these goals was abundantly clear as the University confronted record flooding this summer. People throughout the UI community banded together to prepare, wait out the waters, and begin the hard work of recovery. The crisis has only enhanced our resolve to keep this university a dynamic resource for our state, nation, and world.
Iowa’s people are its strength and its future. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as much as I have.
Sally Mason
University of Iowa President
August 2008
