September 1, 2008 Greetings

Hi:

September 1 is a holiday, of course.  And, I hope you are making the most of it.  For me, it's something very special: my first day on the job, serving you as Western's president.  So, I just wanted to write to let you know how much I am looking forward to doing so.

I have been spending a lot of time getting ready, meeting with hundreds of people all over the state, including alumni, students like you, and parents of our students.  One message came through loud and clear: WWU is widely recognized as the finest public university of its type in the Northwest.  That reputation does not rest on some magazine ranking but on folks' first-hand experience with the people who are Western: faculty and staff, certainly, but also our students, and alumni.

So, yes I am excited about now being your president.  But, I am also very proud.  I trust you are as well.

I look forward to seeing you on campus, soon.  For those who are entering Western for the first time this fall, look for my wife Cyndie and for me among those carrying boxes and helping you move into residence halls.  And, please know that my preference is to be called simply, “Bruce.”  Say hello whenever you see me on campus.

Please continue to enjoy the holiday.  And, wasn't it pretty clever for me to arrange my first work day to fall on a holiday?

Cheers,

Bruce