PSU President welcomes faculty with a message of history and change

Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant welcomed new and returning staff today with a nod to the university's history and tradition and a message about coming change. The president spoke at the traditional opening faculty meeting at which new faculty are introduced.

"Anticipating and managing change is vitally important for the university if it hopes to carry out its mission in the challenging times ahead," Bryant said.

For that reason, the president told the faculty, updating the university's five-year plan will be a priority this year.

The president said that planning for change should begin by "remembering our roots and remaining true to the core values that have served this university so well since its founding more than a century ago."

Bryant singled out four of those core values: a personal connection with students; a commitment to excellence in teaching; respect for all individuals and a high regard for diversity in both culture and thought; and a belief in the inherent value of service to the community and the wider world.

"We will use those values as our touchstone as we plan for the years ahead," Bryant said.

The president outlined three of the many issues that he expected to be in the forefront in the coming year. Bryant mentioned the recruitment and hiring of new faculty and staff, deferred maintenance on the campus infrastructure, and the responsible management of energy and other resources.

"These three issues and many others will test our creativity and our energy over the coming year," Bryant said, "but I am confident we are up to the challenge. This is a great opportunity for each of you to contribute to building a better university and I hope you are eager to share your thoughts, time and energy when the opportunity arises."

The president also reminisced about his first opening faculty meeting at PSU in 1970.

"I was 30 years old, a brand new Ph.D., and I was so proud to be a member of the university faculty," Bryant recalled. "Whether you are a long-time member of the PSU faculty or staff, or brand new to the campus, I hope you are just as proud as I was on that day in 1970 and still am today to be part of the Pittsburg State University family."

Included in the introductions at today's meeting were approximately 40 new members of the PSU faculty and unclassified staff.

Open enrollment for the fall term at PSU will be held tomorrow, Aug. 18. Move-In Day for approximately 1,000 students living in the university’s residence halls will be Saturday, Aug. 19. On Sunday, Aug. 19, a variety of activities known as the Gorilla Warm-Up are scheduled for all new freshmen. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 20.

---Pitt State---