Numbers Can Speak Volumes

Numbers have been very much on my mind these days. In early April, our women’s basketball team brought home its first national title and later that month they were signing autographs for some of the 75,000 people attending Maryland Day—another record-breaking crowd. In addition, we celebrated our 150th anniversary in further record-breaking ways. Imagine serving the world’s largest strawberry shortcake, big enough to give a piece to more than 50,000 people. This was our eighth annual open house and it has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the region.

Over the course of the past eight years, the university has rocketed up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings—from 30th to 18th. That is remarkable progress and all indicators show that we have the capacity to make the leap into the Top 10 public research universities by 2011. To do so requires three intertwined elements: top-ranked programs, top-flight students and a top-notch research enterprise. We already have 61 academic programs ranked in the Top 15 and, of these, 31 are in the Top 10.

We are fortunate to be at the nexus of opportunity with our location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Federal research labs abound, an array of international opportunities awaits, and our faculty is taking full advantage of the rapidly expanding initiatives in physical sciences, national security, biosciences, bioengineering, language, nanoscience and public health. We are doing our part and the state is fully engaged.

75,000 Visitors to Maryland Day 50,150 Pieces of strawberry shortcake served 6,500 New jobs to be created by M Square $200 million Goal for student scholarships 150 The university's age 61 Academic programs in Top 15 50 Number of "Nifty Turtle" sculptures in region Top 10 ranking Our public research university goal

The funding commitment by Governor Ehrlich to kick-start our new biological sciences building exemplifies a way that capital budget assistance enables us to enrich the state’s economic development.

The research park that we are building, M Square, will provide an additional 6,500 jobs when completed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has just broken ground on a national center for weather and climate prediction there, with an anticipated 800 employees. Furthermore the budget of the new Center for the Advanced Study of Language is now an annual $20 million, up from $5 million last year. This is the result of a partnership between the university and the government. NOAA and CASL are but two examples of partnerships that a research park will bring. Five years ago the notion of such a park seemed a pipe dream. We had no land and no money. Today, we have 124 acres located less than a mile from the campus, with major tenants in place, and more waiting in the wings. The impact of the park will soon be felt far and wide.

Equally strong is our incoming freshman class for Fall 2006. There is no doubt that the best and the brightest are choosing Maryland. Alumni play a critical role in helping us build this momentum. I encourage you to recommend us to the best high school seniors in your area; mention the importance of public higher education to a Maryland state legislator; provide a student with an internship in your organization; hire a Maryland graduate. They are also the newest members enjoying the benefits of our Maryland Alumni Association.

Finally, as you travel about the state this summer, be sure to look for our “50 Nifty Turtles.” The unique and brightly painted sculptures celebrate the terrapin spirit in amazingly creative ways. One stands tall at Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis, where artist Lynne Heiser’s “Maryland Mosaic” embodies the strong symbiosis between the university and the state. There is a method to this turtle-mania that will have lasting impact on our students. On October 19, the turtles will be auctioned, with all proceeds earmarked for student scholarships. Our campaign goal to raise $200 million for scholarships and financial assistance will ensure that students can have affordable access to this great university. Cheer the Turtle. —Dan Mote, President

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