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President Wim Wiewel welcomed faculty and staff to the new academic year by thanking them for their "tremendous commitment to this University and this place." The president presided over Fall Convocation for the second time on Sept. 22.

While highlighting accomplishments of the past year, including a 23 percent increase in research project dollars, Wiewel shared a 2009-2010 plan for the University containing 73 action items. The plan focuses on furthering the five initiatives shared by the president last fall: provide civic leadership through partnerships, improve student success, achieve global excellence, enhance educational opportunity, and expand resources and improve effectiveness. Wiewel indicated that working with K-12 partners would come the forefront as a campus wide initiative this year.

Those attending convocation applauded when the president said he would restore salaries as soon as the budget picture improves.

Convocation opened with a welcome and introduction from Maude Hines, new Faculty Senate president. It concluded with Provost Roy Koch introducing the four faculty excellence award recipients: Martin Zwick, Carl Wamser, Kristen Kern, and Layton Borkan.