Letter from the president northern today 3 I was honored to be part of a delegation from Northern State that spent two weeks in March visiting our partner universities throughout China and Korea. The purposes for this visit were to discuss the enrollment of additional English as a Second Language (ESL) students, to enact new two-plus-two programs, to begin comprehensive faculty exchanges, to enhance study abroad opportunities, to increase dual degree participation, to establish alumni chapters in Asia, and to expand use of our existing exchange agreements. On all of these fronts, I believe that our talks were highly productive. During the twelve days in Asia we visited eleven universities. We held alumni events in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Busan. The large turnout at each of these events, by former students and partner university representatives, was indeed heartwarming. We have begun to establish alumni coordinators for each of the aforementioned cities – the obvious goal here is to keep our institution close to the forefront of thought on behalf of all students who have studied at Northern State University. Given the 10% reduction in state support to higher education by the South Dakota Legislature, the establishment of these multinational agreements is now truly essential. Likewise, NSU is perfectly positioned to bring these complex agreements to life. I was delighted to see how powerfully the NSU delegation worked to make this outcome a reality. Certainly the test of time will be our best barometer as to the real successes of these efforts. However, I am extremely pleased to report that all indicators, to date, appear to be highly positive. Finally, let me share with you that the beginning of the fall semester is literally just a few weeks away and all indications look very positive regarding our anticipated enrollment numbers. Several major construction projects on the Barnett Center and Student Center additions have begun, as well, and final preparations are being made to many projects that will be wrapping up before the first day of class. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit campus soon and see our growth and expansion with your own eyes. I truly believe you’ll be impressed with all that we are doing in some of the most difficult economic times I have encountered in my nearly twenty-five years working in higher education. Northern is moving to the best of the world and, it quite frankly, shows. “I truly believe you’ll be impressed with all that we are doing…” “During the twelve days in Asia we visited eleven universities. We held alumni events in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Busan.” president james m. smith see page 4 for photographs
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