| In July the University's Development and Alumni Relations staff, joined by close colleagues from around the University, gathered to celebrate the successful end of another fiscal year. As our front-page story says, we all felt very good about achieving the second most successful fundraising year in BU's history, but we also would rather not have a "second-best" anything. Thus we have set our sights on an absolute record-breaker for the fiscal year that got underway July 1.
At that celebration, Boston University's president elect, Bob Brown, addressed the staff in a very upbeat fashion. As many of you know, he is coming to the presidency here having served in a number of positions at MIT, most recently as the provost, or chief academic officer. He made it clear that as president he will spend a good deal of time reaching out to alumni and to both current and potential donors, calling on alumni, friends, and parents individually, as well as gathering small and large groups to talk about the future of the University. We are all confident that he will provide outstanding leadership in development and alumni relations. We are working with his staff to arrange presidential travel around the country and possibly even the world, and some hard dates are beginning to hit the calendars. You will be hearing more as the year goes forward.
Thank you for your support during this recent time of presidential transition at Boston University. That the University received $93 million of cash gift income this past year is very reassuring; clearly alumni and friends are embracing the University in ways they never have before. Indeed, our Annual Giving program improved by 29 percent this year over last year. Please continue to respond to those letters and calls from the University-every dollar counts and is put to good use here.
Finally, thanks to all of you who have been in touch with me by letter or e-mail during the past year to express your concerns or ask questions. I have tried faithfully to respond with as much factual and thoughtful content as I could, and I enjoy communication in this way. I hope you will continue to stay in "conversation" with me, and I look forward to being able to thank many of you in person for your continued support of Boston University. Let's make this our best year ever.
Cordially,
Christopher R. Reaske |
