Message from the Dean

A Message from Dr. James Narduzzi, Dean:

Greetings to all University College and School of Continuing Studies alumni! The 2008-2009 academic year is off to an exciting start. The University continues its strategic planning process, initiated during the previous academic year by Dr. Ayers, and four new construction projects will break ground: the University’s on campus football stadium, the Carole Weinstein Center for International Studies, the Westhampton Center, and the Robins School of Business expansion. In the SCS, we continue to attract a large, diverse and talented group of students who someday will become devoted SCS alumni, just like you. This past year, I was very gratified that your alumni association partnered with SCS Student Government Association (SGA) to establish the UC/SCS Alumni Association-SCS SGA Scholarship, generating much-needed financial support for Evening School students. We were also the recipient of two major gifts from The Bernard Osher Foundation: $1 million to endow the Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning and $1 million to endow the Osher Reentry Scholarship program, providing annual support to both programs. These are the largest gifts in the School’s history, and we are honored by the Foundation’s support of our efforts. I’m sure you know that your active participation is critical to the School’s success. We ask for your time and talent, which are vital the School’s future. I’ll repeat my mantra: Attend at least one SCS event on campus this year; join the alumni association (your giving supports current programming); make a gift to SCS at whatever level you are able; use your alumni discount to enroll in a non-credit class from Think Again; enroll in UROnline, to receive regular communications from the University; and lastly, and perhaps most important, continue to serve as an ambassador to the metropolitan Richmond community, encouraging others to visit campus and avail themselves of all that SCS and UR have to offer. Best wishes for a productive and rewarding year, and keep in touch—we like to hear from you.