March 30, 2006
Dear
fellow alumni,
It’s been more than a year since I joined the Office
of Alumni Affairs, and it has been a busy one. During this
time, I’ve met hundreds of alumni and continue to enjoy
learning about everyone’s Shenandoah experience. This
Web site continues our outreach; you should find it quite
user-friendly to keep up with fellow alumni and the university.
We hope you find the information useful and entertaining,
while providing you an opportunity to reconnect with SU. Know
that regardless where life takes you, you’re always
welcome “home” on campus.
Speaking of campus, please take a minute reflect on the
heritage and growth of your university. Currently, SU is
ranked in the top third of “Master’s Universities”
in the South Region by US News and World Report. Its graduate
programs in the health professions continue to elevate the
reputation of the university on the national stage; its
nurse midwifery program is ranked 26th in the nation; the
occupational therapy program is ranked 45th, physician assistant
studies is 48th and the physical therapy program is tied
for 74th nationally. Not to be outdone, the pharmacy program
is widely regarded as one of the most technologically advanced
in the nation. Shenandoah Conservatory continues its tradition
of excellence in performance and education as a leader in
the mid-Atlantic region, while the College of Arts &
Sciences continues to provide the foundation of liberal
arts education as host to the largest population on campus.
Meanwhile, the business school has entered into the final
stages of AACSB international accreditation, the premier
accrediting body for business education. Even the university’s
athletic department had a strong year in 2004-05, including
conference championships in football and women’s lacrosse.
There is no better time to be proud of your alma mater!
Of course, you need perspective. Even with its tremendous
growth over the last 15 years, SU still adheres to the small
private school model that you remember. Having eclipsed
3,000 students in 2004, we can still revel in the fact we
maintain a 10-1 student/faculty ratio. The conservatory
continues its legacy of personalized instruction with a
7-1 student/faculty ratio to say nothing of its vast performance
opportunities at home and abroad. Even with the phenomenal
growth in enrollment over the past three years in the Division
of Nursing, nursing alumni should know the program continues
its commitment to professionalism, small classes and individualized
education. These traits continue at all schools within the
university.
My first year was quite; I’m pleased to report that
with 18 events and more than 400 alumni in attendance, 2005
alumni events were successful. This coming year looks even
better. We expect a busy summer and a number of great events
this fall. Plans are underway for a huge Homecoming event
in September. So, mark your calendar now, call up your old
college roommate and join us for Homecoming.
Mt special thanks to each of the more than 500 alumni who
responded to the Alumni Phone-a-thon this year. I appreciate
your support and loyalty to the university.
As always, we are here to serve you, so please contact
us. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Michael Hatfield '97 '02
Executive Director of the Alumni Association
800.786.4802
mhatfiel@su.edu
