St. Cloud State University welcomed students, faculty and staff back for fall semester on Aug. 17 with a convocation address recognizing the challenges of the past year, also outlining all the accomplishments achieved while looking forward to the year ahead.
In his welcome address, Provost Dan Gregory discussed how St. Cloud State will continue to establish itself with a competitive advantage through the It’s Time strategy and initiatives set in place, also taking time to express his gratitude towards faculty and staff for their dedication to helping students and the University as a whole.
“I believe that if we as an institution really do accept a wholeness thinking, we are going to be able to accomplish so much more than what’s outlined in the It’s Time initiatives and the It’s Time work. We are going to truly move to greatness,” Gregory said. “I am honored to serve as your provost for another year.”
Gregory concluded his address by thanking President Robbyn Wacker for her leadership and commitment to St. Cloud State, most notably during the unprecedented year.
“Thank you, President Wacker. Your unwavering support for our students and employees during an incredibly difficult time has been both inspiring and remarkable,” Gregory said. “Thank you for all that you’ve done for me, for our institution and for our community.
President Wacker opened her address by welcoming faculty and staff to another academic year, recognizing and reflecting on the past year and the challenges and hardships it presented for everyone. Wacker also outlined all the notable accomplishments and things overcome by all during the last year as St. Cloud State looks ahead to a new school year.
“I so appreciate being able to connect with you at the start of each semester and I’m so honored to be your president,” Wacker said. “Convocation is a time for us to reflect on this past year’s experiences, both personally and for St. Cloud State University, to think about what was learned and to take those insights with us as we move into the new academic year. It’s also a time for renewal and for you to be inspired by our University’s future.
“We learned, we persevered and you faced your challenges and found ways to keep going, adapt and do amazing work,” Wacker added. “We, you, did extraordinary things in the midst of complete disruption.”
Wacker continued with discussing the University’s It’s Time strategy and the continued dedication towards redefining St. Cloud State, provided an update for the University’s Unleash the Future Campaign and outlined some goals and initiatives for the upcoming year. She also took time to thank faculty and staff for their commitment to the University.
“The It’s Time framework is pushing ourselves to think and act differently to meet today’s learners where they are at, and to continue to provide them with the world-class education that St. Cloud State has been known for and will continue to be known for in the future,” Wacker said. “Your participation in the It’s Time initiatives will absolutely make a positive difference for St. Cloud State, for you, and for our students.”
Among the 2021-22 It’s Time initiatives outlined during Wacker’s address, St. Cloud State will focus on academic distinction, individualizing student support, extending the University’s reach and will remain dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We’re not focused on what we’re not or what we were, but rather we’re focused on what we’re becoming,” Wacker said. “So watch out everybody, here comes St. Cloud State.”
