New Beginnings, Future Opportunities

A Message From President M. Duane Nellis

My wife, Ruthie, and I are delighted to welcome new and returning students, faculty and staff for fall semester at the University of Idaho. I’m honored to become the 17th president of this great land-grant institution.

Over the summer, we had a chance to get settled in not only to the University of Idaho’s Moscow campus, but we also took a six-day statewide tour that covered some 1,500 miles, connected us with roughly 1,500 people at 35 different events and gave us the chance to hear directly from University stakeholders about what’s important to them. We saw how passionate and enthusiastic our alumni and friends are statewide—there’s a vibrant support for the University of Idaho. Clearly, we are an important part of the fabric of this great state.

That feedback from the tour—and the feedback that continues to come in across campus—will be valuable as we chart the strategic course forward for the institution. I invite you to provide your feedback through this brief Web survey about what’s important to you about the University and its role in Idaho. .

The University of Idaho has much great strength, including:

Our top-quality students—we have more national scholars that any other university in the Northwest except the University of Washington, which is triple our size;
Our outstanding faculty—who are national award winners, outstanding teachers, scholars, and researchers, in addition to being committed residents of this state and community;
Our high research activity—we compete for and win nearly $100 million in grants and contracts;
Our statewide research, educational and Extension networks truly make us part of the fabric of this great state of Idaho;
Our beautiful main campus—the residential campus of choice in the state—and statewide centers in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene; and
Our demonstrated ability to create and lead collaborations.

I’m a firm believer that destiny is not determined by forces beyond our control. Our future has always been up to us, and it can be positively influenced through constructive dialogue leading to strategic initiatives and decision-making. Guided by our strategic plan, girded by a 120-year legacy of leading, and even with challenges that will continue to face our state, our nation and our world, I see great opportunity ahead and a vibrant future for this University as a 21st century land-grant institution.

Here are six areas that I’ll be talking more about in the coming months. I believe these are where the University can shine if we commit to doing these extraordinarily well, and these are areas that have been validated through conversations with our alumni, faculty, national leaders and others:

As a more engaged university with an enhanced learning environment;
As a more entrepreneurial university, complementing our excellent academic enterprise;
As a more sustainable university;
As a more globally connected university;
As a more diverse university, for example; and
As a university that is more interdisciplinary.

It’s clear to me the University of Idaho’s impact is far and wide, and that we have tremendous opportunities in front of us. We are the state’s flagship, land-grant, student-centered research university; we are about creating thinkers, leaders and global citizens—a legacy of leading-- who can improve lives both within our state and beyond. Let’s plan together to set the stage for what the coming years will bring.

Welcome back!
M. Duane Nellis
President