Linfield has been a wonderfully exciting place to be in recent months. That’s because the noise and hubbub of summer events on campus returned to more or less normal levels for the first time in three years, and we recorded nearly 17,000 guest nights in our residence halls in addition to day-trip visitors. Traditional events like football camps and the International Pinot Noir Celebration have been supplemented by new ones including youth camps run by the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers and a training camp for the French national team before it went to the world track and field championships.
Now, as we prepare for a different kind of noise and hubbub – the return of large numbers of our own students and faculty to both campuses – I have a moment to reflect on this key moment we’re living in as a part of Linfield’s long and storied history.
Over nine months last year, dozens of faculty and staff members put in countless hours to help draft Linfield’s new strategic plan, titled “Uncommonly Inspired: On becoming a master’s level comprehensive university.” The Linfield University Board of Trustees gave its stamp of approval in May, and the full plan was posted for students and employees before the academic year ended. Detailed implementation will begin this fall. You can read more about that key effort on pages 36-37.
In parallel with that five-year plan, we’ll be rolling out an initiative this fall called “Moving the Needle” as part of a partnership with 11 other universities. The goal is to share strategies and tactics as we all aim to increase student retention five percentage points or more by 2027. Expect to read more about that effort in future issues of this magazine.
The new science complex, the largest capital construction project in Linfield history, continues to be on time and on budget. It should be completed by the end of the calendar year and hosting labs and classes by spring semester. I’m immensely proud of this effort, which students and faculty members will benefit from for generations.
I’m also proud to say that we’re implementing all these efforts in fiscally responsible ways. Forbes Magazine this summer rated 905 private colleges and universities across America and placed Linfield in the top 20% in terms of financial health and stability.
Don’t take my word for all the positive things happening at Linfield, however. Come see for yourself. Homecoming 2022 is scheduled for Sept. 16-17, with a full schedule of alumni events and home football and soccer games.
I hope to see you there.
