Mount Everest Mount Everest - iamWKU

President’s LetterThe last decade has been a time of growth and transformationfor WKU. Our enrollment has increased dramatically - weopened this fall with more than 21,000 students. Academically,we have transformed our mission of simply teachingstudents to one that engages students in research, service and globallearning. We use teaching as a means to a greater end - improving economicopportunity and quality of life for the communities we serve.We are achieving our vision to be ”a leading American university withinternational reach” in many tangible ways.Such transformation doesn’t occur by accident. It is the result ofthoughtful, capable leadership, hard work, dedication and team work.The executive team at WKU, known as my Administrative Council,has remained largely constant over the last decade. This year, however,will mark a transition of almost half of that executive team.Last October we welcomed Dr. Bob Owen as Vice President of InformationTechnology, and in April, Ross Bjork was named Director ofAthletics. This summer Dr. Gordon Emslie took over as Provost andVice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Gordon Baylis was hiredas Vice President of Research and President of the WKU ResearchFoundation. We are currently searching for a new Vice President ofDevelopment and Alumni Relations.I am grateful to those who have served throughout our transformationand wish each of them well as they enter into a new chapter of theirpersonal and professional lives. I am, however, energized and excitedabout the next chapter for WKU with this new team in place. Theywill lead us through a rededication of purpose and ensure that weachieve a full and lasting transformation.Other dedicated members of the Administrative Council are: HowardBailey, Vice President of Student Affairs; Ann Mead, Vice Presidentof Finance and Administration; Dr. Richard Miller, Chief DiversityOfficer; John Osborne, Vice President of Campus Services; RobbinMorrison Taylor, Vice President of Public Affairs; and DeborahWilkins, General Counsel and Chief of Staff.Finally, I want to thank each of you because none of my success or thatof any of our leadership would be possible without you. More importantly,WKU would not succeed without you. Thank you for your enthusiasmand continued support of the alma mater we all love.Go Toppers!Gary Ransdell2 | WKU SPIRIT | Fall 2010