Welcome back Huskies!

If you were in Bloomsburg this summer, you know this campus doesn’t sleep between mid-May and the end of August. But there’s definitely a new level of energy on campus at this time of year. We will need all of the energy we can muster for everything that is happening, starting this week.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, you will be part of our first Husky Pride Day. You’ll see a lot of maroon and gold all over campus to build excitement for the season’s first football game at Redman Stadium that evening. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. when our Huskies — who are ranked 10th in the nation — go against Ashland University. I hope you’ll be there and support the Huskies all season long.

October is going to be one of the busiest months of 2011-12. We’ll have Homecoming on Oct. 8 and Parents and Family Weekend on Oct., 29.

Also in October, we’ll have the first Zeigler Professional Development Institute conference for the College of Business. Additionally, we are hosting the annual PASSHE Diversity Conference.

Speaking of diversity, you will be asked during the spring semester to share your perceptions via the Campus Climate Survey. All students, faculty and staff will be invited to help us examine how different groups experience BU. I encourage you to share your experiences, voice your thoughts and help us realize our vision of an inclusive institution.

Other surveys you may receive will collect information on student engagement, residence halls and campus risks. If asked to complete one or more of these surveys, please accept.

The new academic year will require a high level of mindfulness as we move forward with a balanced budget while continuing to be good stewards of every dollar. It will be intense as we solidify the new general education model that melds academic and co-curricular opportunities.

And, it will be both thought-provoking and inspiring as we examine new concepts and ideas together.

I wish you a wonderful, fulfilling year.