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> MSU News
Gamble shares new vision for MSU
March 28, 2008 -- By Evelyn Boswell, MSU News Service
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| Jeff Safford, right, and Greg Young listen Thursday as MSU President Geoff Gamble describes his vision for the university. Safford is an emeritus professor of history, and Young is vice provost for undergraduate education. (MSU photo by Kelly Gorham). |
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BOZEMAN -- Proud of the past but focused on the future, Montana State University President Geoff Gamble said Thursday that he wants to see MSU build on its success and expand its reach. Charting a course for the next five to seven years, he said he envisions MSU moving from a position of regional leadership toward greater national prominence.
"I'm counting on your spirit and passion to get there," Gamble told more than 150 people who attended his annual spring address in the Strand Union Building.
Five years ago, a group of students, faculty, staff and community members started developing a strategic plan for the university. That plan was heavily used and continues to provide valuable guidance, Gamble said. He now wants to focus on six key areas that will build upon that plan. Those areas relate to students, faculty and staff; learning and discovery, research and creativity, collaboration and outreach, and infrastructure and accountability.
Students will remain MSU's primary focus, Gamble said. Describing the university he sees in five to seven years, he said MSU will have a national reputation for offering students a powerful, hands-on education. Its student body will continue to emerge as a diverse, synergetic community, with American Indians, international students, non-residents and native Montanans all thriving in a rich multicultural environment. Increased funding will diminish economic barriers for students who want an education. Retention and graduation rates will improve significantly as the passion, commitment and creativity of faculty and staff combine with students' ambition and determination.
"It's a whole new world out there, and we as educators need to tap into that world," he said.
Supporting faculty and staff is just as critical as student success, Gamble continued. In five to seven years, he envisions MSU offering more opportunities for professional and international exchanges. He sees a narrowing of the gap between MSU salaries and the regional average. He foresees family-friendly policies and more endowed chairs, named professorships, and appropriate levels of tenure track faculty and professional staff positions.
MSU will establish a national reputation for integrating learning and discovery, Gamble said. Every graduate will have had an opportunity for a hands-on research project or creative activity. MSU will have more interdisciplinary courses, programs, internships and service-learning opportunities. Some departments and centers will be re-aligned to offer more interdisciplinary opportunities for faculty and student collaborations.
"This vision is bold, but given your success in this area in the past five years, I'm very confident," Gamble said.
He looks forward to broader recognition for MSU's research and creativity successes, Gamble said. He expects to see record-breaking sponsored programs because of MSU's multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations. MSU will have more of a global presence with its internationally-recognized faculty and collaborations. MSU students will be integrated at all levels, whether that involves published papers, patents or high-level interaction. The university will hold a wide spectrum of licenses with Montana companies and technologies that enhance opportunities for MSU and regional businesses. The state's economy will benefit from additional spin-off companies, start-up companies and entrepreneurial support.
MSU honors its Land Grant mission and will continue to do so, Gamble said. In five to seven years, he sees MSU sharing faculty and student innovations in an increasingly targeted manner. He sees MSU Extension recognized statewide as the portal to the university, and significant increases in the number of partnerships MSU has with local and state businesses, K-12 schools, local governments and the agricultural and natural resource sectors. MSU will have more programs that develop the work force and additional opportunities that benefit students and Montana businesses. MSU and the Bozeman community will have a dynamic partnership.
The public will have an earned trust in MSU because of transparent decision-making at the university, Gamble continued. MSU will be an area leader in conservation and sustainability. The university will catch up on maintenance and make more room for classrooms, laboratories and data communications. MSU and the other MSU campuses will have more efficient business practices.
Vision is important, but it's also important to communicate MSU's messages effectively, Gamble said. He concluded his address by showing four television commercials that are part of MSU's new advertising campaign.
See the Vision and Strategic Plan at http://www.montana.edu/vision
Evelyn Boswell (406) 994-5135 or evelynb@montana.edu
Hi-Resolution Images or PDFs Available:
| [View or Download] | 1. | MSU President Geoff Gamble addresses faculty, staff and visitors during his annual spring address on Thursday, March 27. (MSU photo by Kelly Gorham). | | [View or Download] | 2. | Jeff Safford, right, and Greg Young listen Thursday as MSU President Geoff Gamble describes his vision for the university. Safford is an emeritus professor of history, and Young is vice provost for undergraduate education. (MSU photo by Kelly Gorham). |
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