It is a great privilege for me to be invited to speak at the tenth year re-union of State University' s graduating class. When you arrived on campus today, after a decade, you were probably impressed by two changes at State:one, the absence of University Tower, the first building constructed on the campus, and a historic landmark for many years; and two, the disappearance of parking lots on main campus.
Two years ago, University Tower was inspected and found to be un-safe. In spite of efforts to restore it, it was necessary to level the building. A bell tower was constructed on the same site, built for the most part using the good brick that was saved from the original building. The original bells were also preserved. As for the parking lots, they have been replaced by grass,trees, and pedestrian walkways. Parking is now located in parking garages on the North and West sides of the campus.
Two more subtle changes have occurred within the past decade. One is the creation and expansion of the Division of Continuing Education for the Community, including a Saturday and summer enrichment program for chil-dren, and an afternoon and evening special interest program for adult. The other is the addition of the student population of many young people from a-broad, especially students from Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Most international students are enrolled in the College of Engineering and the College of Business.
And so, State is a different place, but like University Tower, it is built of the same brick. We are still committed to the same age old ideals "quality education for our citizens", but we have extended our commitment beyond the borders of our state and nation to encompass the citizens and nations of the world.