On Wednesday, Oct. 7, U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon delivered the 2015 Fiat Lux Address, providing important updates and information regarding the future of the University of Lethbridge.
To view a recording of this address visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B-1HJMTuFs&feature=youtu.be
SUMMARY
The University of Lethbridge is guided by a firm commitment to the values and principles integral to our university since our founding nearly 50 years ago. As we move forward, we are directed by a vision that has evolved over time but is rooted in enduring values, setting us on a path to realizing our full potential.
Our vision states:
We will be Canada’s destination for all who seek a comprehensive, liberal education-based university that promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and inspires research-informed teaching and learning, creative discovery, scholarship, professional endeavour, experiential opportunities, and community engagement.
Using our vision statement as a guide, the following strategic priorities help define our path forward:
Strategic Priorities
- Excel as a comprehensive university
- Inspire and support student potential
- Promote access to quality post-secondary education
- Build internal community and enhance relationships with external communities
- Enhance the sustainability of the University
Using these priorities as a framework, our community has made progress on a number of initiatives over the past year and continues to move forward, guided by our values, priorities and strategic plan.
In the fall 2015 semester, the U of L welcomed 8,453 registrants – one of the largest groups of students in our history. This is a 2.8% increase from Fall 2014 and 1.3% higher than our target. High school undergraduate registrants are up over 18% from last year, the Calgary campus saw a 2.6% increase in enrolment with 795 students. New programs launched this year, Therapeutic Recreation, Master of Nursing and pre-Engineering, are full this fall. The overall retention rate at the U of L is up 1.9%, an almost unheard of feat for universities like ours.
Liberal education revitalization, FNMI initiatives, international strategy and Pronghorn Athletics all continue to make significant strides forward.
We continue to excel as a comprehensive university. This has been the institution’s most successful years in new NSERC funding and we also received a large increase in SSHRC funding, in addition to other funding and grants, including, Synbridge, one of two examples of the makerspaces created as part of the Agility program. We will continue to grow our graduate footprint, and we will continue to advance our 50 by 50 Research Chair program. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation and creative activity, we are committed to reaching our goal of 50 research Chairs by our 50th anniversary. We will grow our presence, both in programming and research, in Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Our successes over the past year and our goals for the future, all stem back to “people.” People are – and will continue to be – the U of L’s essential resource and define our greatest strength.
The strategic directions outlined in Destination 2020 will continue to guide us forward, as the Destination Project, the new science and academic building, moves from vision to reality; the institution plans for its 50th anniversary 2017; and we embark upon the largest fundraising campaign in our history.
We create paths for people to shine, and in doing so, we are proving that together, people really do shine brighter.
FULL TEXT:
The speech is available as a PDF document: 2015_Fiat Lux_MMahon.pdf