Centralight

Wilbur builds on CMU's growth When Kathleen M. Wilbur stepped into the role of interim president July 1, her primary goals were to provide a seamless leadership transition for CMU and to keep the university's many initiatives moving forward. She's certainly done that, and much more, while she has been in the position. "I think we've been very successful with our goals and in advancing the university's positive momentum," Wilbur says. "We have focused on the continued success of our students by off ering an academic environment that will prepare them for a life of rewarding involvement and professional accomplishment." To involve the campus community, Wilbur visited with students, faculty and staff in a series of conversations, discussing topics ranging from campus security and fi nancial aid to diversity and sustainability eff orts. She increased the level of visibility and accessibility of the president's offi ce with a variety of speaking engagements throughout the community and her continued involvement in government aff airs. CMU further enhanced its quality of education, welcoming nearly 100 new faculty last fall, Wilbur says, "and that's vital to maintaining our high level of academic success. Due to the quality education we provide, CMU is enjoying record enrollment on campus. "Maintaining enrollment and increasing retention is critical to CMU's future," she says. "It fulfi lls our mission as educators and is important for budgetary reasons." As part of that initiative, CMU has increased need-based fi nancial aid by $4.2 million. Signifi cant progress also has been made in the establishment of CMU's School of Medicine. Under Wilbur's guidance, CMU has taken important steps in forging relationships with hospital partners, progressing toward accreditation when the Liaison Committee on Medical Education granted the university applicant status, continuing private fundraising eff orts and increasing public support for the project. Construction on the addition to the Health Professions Building broke ground Feb. 18. Another major building project is the expansion of Rose Center to become a multipurpose Events Center, on which construction began in the fall. "The Events Center is important for a variety of reasons," says Wilbur. "It will be a strategic investment for athletics and academics and will be a new and contemporary gateway to the community by attracting a variety of cultural events." Plans also are progressing for renovations to many other buildings on campus, including Brooks Hall, Ronan Hall and the Bovee University Center, as well as to facilities at the Biological Station on Beaver Island. When Dr. George Ross begins his term as president March 1, Wilbur will return to her previous role as CMU's vice president of government relations and public aff airs, in which she will continue advocating for CMU's advancement. • 6 centralight spring '10 PHOTOS BY ROBERT BARCLAY

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