Another year is upon us, bringing opportunity and exhilaration to new students and old hands like myself. In thinking about how to take full advantage of the rich array of opportunities that come along, planning for the future is key. We all grapple with this, whether we are building a great university, or building a department or thinking through our own educational experience. Without planning, nothing much gets done. Planning is best when it is done for the planners to execute. Laying out an educational plan on a year-by-year basis through degree completion should be a top priority for all students. The four-year plan might include an internship, study abroad, campus involvement, sports, preparation for postgraduate fellowships, graduate school and other opportunities.
Maryland offers a vast array of resources to help you plan and make the most of your time here. Take advantage of the National Scholars Office, the University Career Center and the Office of International Programs, which help you plan study opportunities. As Sir Winston Churchill remarked, “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.”
If you are part of the 25 percent of the students who have entered Maryland for the first time, I urge you to get involved with the campus to increase its value for you. In addition to the 500 student organizations, you should meet your instructors, visit faculty in their offices and look for opportunities to work on campus. Simply, meet the students around you. The campus employs about 5,000 undergraduate students and offers a wealth of opportunities for growth. You can even start your own organization if none fits your interest. The more you reach out, the more you will grow from your experiences. We are committed to helping you grow and find success – it’s how we measure our success.
This fall will offer a wide range of experiences that will engage you. As we close a highly successful 150th anniversary year, we are preparing to launch our capital campaign that will raise funds for student scholarships. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mohamed ElBaradei, will deliver the Anwar Sadat Peace Lecture. Thomas Friedman will discuss his internationally acclaimed book, The World is Flat, the first-year book. And there is a lot more! Check the website www.freestuff.umd.edu for a calendar and other opportunities.
Finally, the athletic season promises to be a banner one, with four teams defending national championships and a football team ready for great success. With our athletic prominence also comes responsibility: avoid unruly celebrations following university events. The Office of Student Conduct and your own peer judicial board will mete out severe sanctions for violations.
Finally, I have two opportunities to offer you. One, I hope to shake the hand of every student at least once this year. If you give me a hand in this regard, it will be a great help. And finally, for many years, I have had a standing offer to take any individual student to lunch who would like to go. Please contact my office and it will be arranged to fit your schedule. All the best for an exciting and fruitful year. It’s a great time to be a Terp.
Dan Mote is the president of the University of Maryland. He can be reached at dmote@umd.edu.
