Welcome Back

Although the campus was closed the last week of the year, that didn’t slow the steady wave of progress that continues to sweep this ever-changing University.  Since fall Commencement, the Department of Theater and Dance as well as the Art Department have moved into the Middough Building in CSU’s unique new Arts Campus at PlayhouseSquare.  Demolition crews have leveled the East 22nd Street block to make way for the Campus Village construction, and men’s basketball continues to dominate the Horizon League.

We announced plans to illuminate the city sky with beacons of light, and a record seven CSU students were awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for 2012. As the Plain Dealer so eloquently stated in an editorial Monday: “The extensive renovations and new buildings are making this campus coherent, connected and, yes, alive.” 

Topping the list of new initiatives for 2012 is growing the fall freshman class to the largest and most academically competitive cohort in Cleveland State history.  A new concentrated recruitment drive dubbed Campaign 1500 is launching with a special event February 1st at 10 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. I encourage everyone to join and see how you can help in this essential effort.

I look forward to an exciting year of opportunities and challenges.  Cleveland State continues to play an ever-increasing role in this community, and I am encouraged by the many important initiatives still ahead. Happy New Year and welcome back to campus.

Sincerely,

Ronald M. Berkman
President
Cleveland State University