It is with immense pleasure that I extend to you a warm welcome on behalf of the Division of Academic Affairs.

These are exciting times, both historically and academically. The university is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1957 - a milestone bolstered by numerous institutional accomplishments and contributions to our region and society. From the charter class of 570, the university has grown to more than 18,000 students. While the university has shown impressive growth and change, the core academic mission has stayed the same: to deliver an outstanding education that prepares students with a portfolio of skills and values necessary for success in the workplace and society.

The institutional vision 2010, developed and embraced by the university community, identifies the importance of diversity, quality faculty, dedicated staff and inspired students. Our faculty immerse themselves in providing the most constructive teaching and learning processes; engaging in original basic and applied research and scholastic inquiry; and promoting and participating in creative works.

The campus is proud of numerous national accolades and recognition that our faculty have received for their efforts and achievements in instructional leadership. And, as a Carnegie doctoral research institution, Oakland University prides itself in creating and dispensing new knowledge. External funding for faculty-sponsored research projects is at an all-time high. We are pleased to welcome the outstanding 2007-08 roster of new faculty who will likely make significant contributions to moving the institution to its next level of excellence.

The hallmark of an Oakland experience are the opportunities students have to participate in faculty-sponsored research and creative works. In the College of Arts and Sciences, and in the professional schools, numerous internally- and externally-funded research projects involve students during summer months or the entire year. Students make presentations on their findings at local, national and international conferences and symposia, and many become published authors with their faculty mentors. Please visit the university Research Office Web site to explore your research interest or to provide support for projects and travel.

Let us celebrate our accomplishments and the possibilities ahead, and join hands in enriching and creating a better informed world and society.