A TIME TO REFLECT

As I addressed the Class of 2004 at commencement, I reflected that like most of our graduating seniors, Mary and I also arrived at Jewell in the fall of 2000 full of anticipation and excitement. So much has happened since then, bringing challenge and change though much remains the same:

• Jewell’s rich traditions and our determination to offer our students relevant, innovative, and rigorous academic programs;

• our commitment to providing a secure, personal, and challenging educational environment for all of our students, and the opportunity for significant intellectual and spiritual growth;

• our belief that we can effectively help our young women and men hone their ambitions and accelerate the development of their own individual talents and visions; and

• our convictions that wise and ethical leadership begins with faith, trust, and love for the vast diversity of humankind, and is proven through self-sacrifice and service to others.

The achievements of our faculty, students, and alumni clearly bear out these truths, and this issue of Achieve is yet another revealing chronicle of Jewell’s impact on our world.

Our cover stories profile two remarkable men—one just beginning to make his mark in the world, the other at the height of an extraordinary career—both dedicating this time of their lives to the service of others, one in Africa, one in Iraq. Two of our current students, Sarah Haller and Anthony Shop, have brought national honor and prestige to Jewell for their achievements—Sarah as a Goldwater Scholarship recipient, and Anthony as one of this year’s 77 Truman Scholars. Cardinal athletes have concluded a record-breaking year and their coaches have garnered more regional and national honors than any group in recent memory.

We have already begun an exciting summer of work: readying Melrose Hall for her grand re-opening as a state-of-the-art residence for first-year women; engaging new leaders and new members of our Board of Trustees, welcoming new faculty members who replace a group of steadfast faculty leaders who have retired, and preparing to welcome a great new class of first-year students. Finally, by drawing on the incredible depth of talent our faculty and staff provide, we have begun developing strategies that will boldly carry the College forward into this new millennium with a clear vision of service and relevance, and the financial strength that will ensure a future of even greater achievement and recognition for William Jewell College.

Deo Fisus Labora