President speaks of university's progress: final

St. Edward’s University President George Martin said the university has prospered despite tough economic times when he addressed a crowd of faculty, staff and students today.

The fall 2009 President’s Meeting commemorated Martin’s 10th anniversary with St. Edward's. Since his inauguration in October 1999, Martin has worked to implement a 10-year plan of improvements. The plan, consisting of seven strategic priorities, aims to make St. Edward’s one of the best small universities in the country.

Martin considers this effort to be a growing success. The university has received several accolades in recent years, including being named among the top five “Up-and-Coming Universities” in the Western region by academic peers, according to a survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report. St. Edward’s also ranked among the top 10 universities in Texas according to Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

In addition to celebrating the progress and accomplishments of the university, Martin spoke of economic challenges.

In preparation for the 2009-2010 school year, Student Financial Services received an influx of queries, and more people used the online financial aid calculator than ever before, he said. But St. Edward’s still welcomed its largest freshman class yet, with 757 students joining the campus community.

While this year’s enrollment rates were not compromised due to financial instability, Martin feels this could change.

“Some people say the year ahead is going to be more difficult than this past year,” he said. “We’re going to see public schools as a bigger threat than ever.”

Martin said he expects financial issues to become more of a deciding factor in college choice next year, because most of this year’s students had already set their minds on St. Edward’s before the economy went into such a steep decline.

Martin said that as financial strain increases, students are likely to become more needy, and he emphasized the critical role that St. Edward’s faculty and staff play.

“Sometimes I think we get so busy doing day-to-day that we forget,” he said. “What I really want you to understand is the impact you have on the lives of students.”

Martin expanded on the university’s partnership with France and the First Year in France program. The program allows French students to come to St. Edward's for their final three years of college. During their first year, they complete intensive American culture and English language classes at Institut Bois-Robert in preparation to study abroad.

Martin also introduced new faculty members, profiled the demographics of the freshmen class, announced technological and facility improvements on campus and discussed recent grants and awards.

“I really enjoyed President Martin’s speech,” Junior Rebecca Rodriguez said. “It was cool to hear about all the changes going on at SEU. I also thought the Topper Turbo ad was a funny addition.”

Topper Turbo, a new St. Edward’s marketed energy drink, was distributed to attendees as they entered the Mabee ballroom. The can design features Topper, the university mascot, and the slogan “It’ll give you hooves.”

The meeting began with a short video clip attributing Martin’s philanthropic achievements to the Topper Turbo drink. Images featured a photoshopped Martin, can in hand, participating in various extreme sports.

In celebration of Martin’s anniversary, university trustees Carolyn Gallagher and Brother Richard Daley commented on his performance and reminisced about their first impressions of him.

Both Gallagher and Daley were on the initial selection committee that hired Martin from his previous position as academic dean of St. Peter’s College in New Jersey.

“We did an intensive nationwide search, but I think it was clear to all of us that George was head and shoulders above everyone else,” Gallagher said.

When Martin was instated as president, he sought advice from the board of trustees, asking what their expectations were for his career with St. Edward’s.

“Take us to the next level,” Daley said.

Like Daley, other staff members said Martin has widely exceeded those expectations.

“Its exciting to see the progress we’ve made over the past 10 years” Residence Director Joseph Andrews said. “And I’m excited to see what the future has in store for the community at St. Edward’s.”