Dear Friends:
Webber has a serious shot at winning $1,000, and I am enlisting your help in doing it.
Causes, a grassroots not-for-profit fundraising engine, has a contest running. Whichever charity gets the MOST INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS (NOT the most money) in a 24 hour period wins $1,000. Charities have been winning this with just 200 to 300 donations. We can do better than 300 donations.
We are trying to win this today (between 3:00pm EST Monday, November 2nd, but before 2:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 3). PLEASE consider making the minimum ($10) donation to Webber between these hours. It’s tax deductible. It will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor. And we really have a shot at the $1,000.
Here’s the link: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/89445?m=618c3fb4. You do NOT have to be a Facebook member to donate (but, if you are, please use Facebook to spread the word).
Remember, it is NOT about the dollar amount of money donated, but about the number of donors (so, if you feel inclined to give $100, God bless you, but please send $10 and have 9 more friends send $10 each). And remember, it’s a specific time period (between 3:00pm EST Monday, November 2nd, but before 2:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 3).
Now, I realize that this may have reached some of you who really cannot spare $10. Fair enough. We don’t want you going without. But, if you CAN spare it, please consider making the donation (http://apps.facebook.com/causes/89445?m=618c3fb4) between 3:00pm EST Monday, November 2nd, but before 2:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 3. And, of course, please tell your friends and families as well.
Causes is 100% legit (we get donations through them from time to time), as is the contest (it was a different one, but my cousin-in-law won over $6,000 for his dog rescue this way a couple of years ago).
Best regards,
Keith
Monday, November 02, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Good week to be the president...
Most weeks, being a college president is not as glamorous as advertised. While it's a lot like being a CEO at any business, there's the added pressure of the fact that a lot of people have entrusted you with their future. And, of course, in any community the size of ours, there are always going to be challenges and issues and, while "straight to the top" is almost never the quickest route, it is one well traveled.
But, some weeks, it's great to be president.
Yesterday's 18th Annual President's Golf Tournament fundraiser was a great success (and to paraphrase The Beatles, the way we provide a world class business education at less than half the cost of the average private college, is that we get by with a little help from our friends). Thanks to all of those who contributed time, money, and other support.
Last week's Career Fair was a great success. According to the Florida Department of Education, within 6 months of graduation, Webber's career placement rates are best in State (http://www.fldoe.org/fetpip). But let's not fool ourselves... it's a tough job market out there. Two years ago, our Career Fair threatened to grow so large that we thought we'd have to move it to the gym. While that threat has temporarily abated, what we did have was a Conference Center full of folks who were hiring. Not folks saying "we're not hiring right now" but folks with real jobs. With benefits. And they were blown away with the quality of Webber students.
Last week's trip to China, while involving some pretty grueling travel, was also a great success. We are hammering out agreements with China's #34 ranked comprehensive university, its #1 ranked Finance university, and its #1 ranked Accounting university. Is it great that we’ll be getting some great students transferring from some great schools? You bet. But it's also exciting that Webber's reputation for quality is truly global.
Over the weekend we had an alumni wedding reception (and I'm still waiting to officiate at my first wedding... I'll do a good job and won’t charge anything, though there are pretty reasonable fees for facilities and/or food and beverage) in the Conference Center, a Lake Wales Arts Festival fundraiser on the pier and gyms and fields full of winning performances. Fun to see all the activity.
And, most of what has been pushed over my desk over the last week has been related to expansion… of facilities and of degree offerings. That's a really fun part of the job.
Finally, the week will end with a bunch of alumni activities. It's really, really fun when alumni come back sharing their successes in their careers and their lives. Part of why we do this, I think, is that we really enjoy being able to contribute to a better society, one student at a time. But the relationship with students has to be purely professional, even with the ones you genuinely like a lot. Once they're alumni, if they choose, you can actually be their friend. It is unbelievably gratifying that so many so choose.
Yes, it has been a good week to be president. I hope it has been a good week to be whatever part of the Webber family you are.
But, some weeks, it's great to be president.
Yesterday's 18th Annual President's Golf Tournament fundraiser was a great success (and to paraphrase The Beatles, the way we provide a world class business education at less than half the cost of the average private college, is that we get by with a little help from our friends). Thanks to all of those who contributed time, money, and other support.
Last week's Career Fair was a great success. According to the Florida Department of Education, within 6 months of graduation, Webber's career placement rates are best in State (http://www.fldoe.org/fetpip). But let's not fool ourselves... it's a tough job market out there. Two years ago, our Career Fair threatened to grow so large that we thought we'd have to move it to the gym. While that threat has temporarily abated, what we did have was a Conference Center full of folks who were hiring. Not folks saying "we're not hiring right now" but folks with real jobs. With benefits. And they were blown away with the quality of Webber students.
Last week's trip to China, while involving some pretty grueling travel, was also a great success. We are hammering out agreements with China's #34 ranked comprehensive university, its #1 ranked Finance university, and its #1 ranked Accounting university. Is it great that we’ll be getting some great students transferring from some great schools? You bet. But it's also exciting that Webber's reputation for quality is truly global.
Over the weekend we had an alumni wedding reception (and I'm still waiting to officiate at my first wedding... I'll do a good job and won’t charge anything, though there are pretty reasonable fees for facilities and/or food and beverage) in the Conference Center, a Lake Wales Arts Festival fundraiser on the pier and gyms and fields full of winning performances. Fun to see all the activity.
And, most of what has been pushed over my desk over the last week has been related to expansion… of facilities and of degree offerings. That's a really fun part of the job.
Finally, the week will end with a bunch of alumni activities. It's really, really fun when alumni come back sharing their successes in their careers and their lives. Part of why we do this, I think, is that we really enjoy being able to contribute to a better society, one student at a time. But the relationship with students has to be purely professional, even with the ones you genuinely like a lot. Once they're alumni, if they choose, you can actually be their friend. It is unbelievably gratifying that so many so choose.
Yes, it has been a good week to be president. I hope it has been a good week to be whatever part of the Webber family you are.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tallahassee Update
As you may have heard, I went to Tallahassee earlier this week. Not realizing that so many people notice when I am gone, I was surprised to learn that, when I’m not on campus, people start rumors about where I am. The best was that I had won the lottery and had gone to pick up my prize in person. The meanest was that I had a hair transplant and didn’t want people to see it until it had all grown in. Like most rumors, these were untrue: I was actually at the semi-annual ICUF meeting.
ICUF is an advocate for the 120,000 students who attend Florida’s 28 private, not-for-profit, SACS accredited colleges and universities (like Webber). While most of the schools are small, like us, together, we have a lot of students. Among other things, ICUF advocates for the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), often meeting with legislators and/or testifying before the House or the Senate about the impact of this grant.
This meeting is held in Tallahassee so that the various college and university presidents can meet with legislators and explain the importance of FRAG, and other support, to our students. It also gives us the opportunity to get some feel for the upcoming State budget crisis.
It’s going to be another tough year in Tallahassee, with everyone scrambling for every available dollar. That’s where you come in. If you are a Florida resident, please take a moment to write to your State Representative and Senator and tell them how much FRAG means to you (click this link if you need more information http://www.webber.edu/academics/frag.aspx ). While I wrote to mine already, more letters are better, and I may be represented by someone different than are you. It will only take a few minutes, but it is important that they hear from you.
Have a great weekend and stay safe.
ICUF is an advocate for the 120,000 students who attend Florida’s 28 private, not-for-profit, SACS accredited colleges and universities (like Webber). While most of the schools are small, like us, together, we have a lot of students. Among other things, ICUF advocates for the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), often meeting with legislators and/or testifying before the House or the Senate about the impact of this grant.
This meeting is held in Tallahassee so that the various college and university presidents can meet with legislators and explain the importance of FRAG, and other support, to our students. It also gives us the opportunity to get some feel for the upcoming State budget crisis.
It’s going to be another tough year in Tallahassee, with everyone scrambling for every available dollar. That’s where you come in. If you are a Florida resident, please take a moment to write to your State Representative and Senator and tell them how much FRAG means to you (click this link if you need more information http://www.webber.edu/academics/frag.aspx ). While I wrote to mine already, more letters are better, and I may be represented by someone different than are you. It will only take a few minutes, but it is important that they hear from you.
Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Fall Update
It was just brought to my attention that I have not posted anything here since April. I should be ashamed and, of course, I am.
There are some exciting things going on at Webber. SACS (our regional accreditor) just approved our application to offer all of our courses on-line. While we are certainly not going to become an on-line university (nothing wrong with that; just not what we are), this not only lets us serve students who want a Webber degree but do not live year Webber, but it also allows our traditional students more flexibility, especially regarding winter (yes, winter! Be on the lookout for more information soon) and summer courses.
Things are also quite lively on campus. The Student Union is happening. The student newspaper comes out regularly. Lots of the clubs are active and rare is the day that there is not a game of some sort on campus.
While it is really too early to announce anything yet, I am excited about the prospects of some new construction and some new degree offerings. Stay tuned.
I’ll try to post more regularly. Please be careful out there. And remember to wash your hands.
There are some exciting things going on at Webber. SACS (our regional accreditor) just approved our application to offer all of our courses on-line. While we are certainly not going to become an on-line university (nothing wrong with that; just not what we are), this not only lets us serve students who want a Webber degree but do not live year Webber, but it also allows our traditional students more flexibility, especially regarding winter (yes, winter! Be on the lookout for more information soon) and summer courses.
Things are also quite lively on campus. The Student Union is happening. The student newspaper comes out regularly. Lots of the clubs are active and rare is the day that there is not a game of some sort on campus.
While it is really too early to announce anything yet, I am excited about the prospects of some new construction and some new degree offerings. Stay tuned.
I’ll try to post more regularly. Please be careful out there. And remember to wash your hands.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why I love Spring
You might be surprised to learn, as I was, that very little of a college president's day is actually spent smoking his pipe and thinking deep thoughts (Animal House, it seems, is not a documentary). Much of it is spent trying to raise money, explaining to students why they cannot keep buffalo in their rooms, and doing other less than glamorous tasks.But this time of year, there are some really, really cool duties. One of these was the annual Academic Awards Dinner, held Tuesday, April 14. Above is the photo of the students who showed up to enjoy a great meal and be recognized for exceptional performance.
In just a few short days, it's graduation. This really is our best day of the year. It is also, of course, bittersweet. While it's exciting to see them go off into the world to start careers, we still miss them!
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