This is the time of the year when we reconnect with friends and family and we all give thanks for the blessings in our lives. What better time for me to give thanks to each of you, to our staff, our faculty, and our alumni and friends in this community for all that you do for this outstanding university.

     Indeed we have come through a very difficult year. Our country, our state, and our university have each felt the effects of the largest economic downturn in our lifetimes. But you all have done incredible work. You are committed. You've taken on additional responsibilities, in the classroom, in the laboratory, in your offices.

     It has been especially difficult as we've had to make very decisions that have led us to release a number of our faculty and staff. Not a day goes by when I don't think about the challenges that we had faced, and indeed, the way in which the university community has stepped up to continue to provide the kind of quality education and services that UNCG has always been known for.

     Let me take this opportunity also to mention three things that I believe are important for us going forward. First, I am convinced that we will come through this very difficult period a strong, wiser, and indeed a more focused institution prepared to fulfill the promise that has always been UNCG. Second, I also want you to know that I remain personally committed to doing all that I can do to advance the interest of this university, and of our faculty, staff and students as we move through this difficult period. And finally, I encourage you to let me know if you have concerns and indeed, ideas for how we can best address the challenges that we are now confronted with. I encourage you to be in touch with me through my email on the Chancellor's Office website.

     But I also want to say that we have many things to be thankful for. UNCG indeed experienced record enrollment again this fall. Student continue to come to UNCG because of the caring faculty and staff and the high quality of education that we provide here.

     We broke ground on our new Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, a very innovative partnership with North Carolina A&T State University. And every morning when I come to work I see more and more progress on our new School of Education building. We've submitted a request to plan a School of Pharmacy that promises to create jobs and contribute to economic development in Greensboro and the Triad. And this time, next year, our excellent programs in music, theater and dance will come together in a new school that promises to raise the visibility of the performing arts at UNCG.

     So as we approach the end of 2009 and look forward to 2010 I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you for everything that you are doing on behalf of UNCG. All of the accomplishments of this wonderful university are due to your efforts. It has been a difficult year but I look forward to the promise of 2010. Thank you again for everything that you do on behalf of UNCG.