Dear Orange Friends:
I have recently seen a great network of alumni and supporters who help out our students. First, I attended the dedication of the Einhorn 21st Century Studio in Slocum Hall. It is a new instructional space in the School of Architecture that was generously supported by alumni Steven and Sherry Einhorn. This is incredibly flexible teaching space with the kind of technologies that spark excellence and collaboration. I suspect scholars in every discipline would learn a lot from teaching there.
Over at the Whitman School, I chatted with James Shomar, a Whitman graduate who now serves as a volunteer mentor for students at the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship. Whitman’s M.S. in Entrepreneurship program combines classroom instruction with immersion experiences and gives students a chance to launch their own business venture. I also toured the Ballentine Investment Center, which is named for and supported by our alumnus Steve Ballentine. From a dedicated classroom space inside the center, students manage the portfolio for the Orange Value Fund, a $1.7 million fund with real investors. It is another great way to learn—nothing focuses a student’s attention more than facing real clients and real gains and losses.
A lot of you have been writing to me about stadium ideas and the Carrier Dome. I am glad to have ideas and time to examine them carefully; my pressing concern is what we would do if the Dome became unusable due to a roof failure. Last week, I appointed a workgroup to develop a comprehensive backup plan. Over the next few months, the workgroup, chaired by Falk College Professor Rick Burton, will gather data and other critical information. The goal is to develop a contingency plan that would allow us to quickly respond should the need arise, quantify the costs involved, and better understand the potential negative economic impact to the region. We just have to be prepared for any emergency at the same time we plan carefully for the longer-term future of our athletic venues. I’ll let you know what I learn.
Chancellor Kent Syverud