2 minute read
A Message from the SMSU President
Dear Alumni and Friends, Summer is upon us and for everyone at SMSU, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the achievements of the past year and prepare to welcome a new class of students this fall. On May 4th, 330 graduates celebrated their academic achievements at our 56th commencement ceremony. I would like to congratulate them on this great accomplishment and thank Cheri Beranek ’85 for her words of encouragement for the class of 2024. I also congratulate Ashton Ayres for receiving the Outstanding Senior award this year. We have another busy summer on campus with renovations transforming nine classrooms and three laboratories. In addition to academic spaces, several houses in the traditional residence halls will receive much-needed improvements. Much of this work would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our alumni and friends. Thank you to everyone who is helping us provide a better experience for students by giving them access to more modern facilities as they continue their academic journey at SMSU.
Your support and investment are paying dividends. SMSU continues to defy the trend of declining enrollment currently causing concern for other universities. The summer enrollment at SMSU is up 10.7% over last summer and our projections for fall look very positive as well. I am deeply grateful for all the hard work of our faculty and staff whose efforts stand out among our peer institutions. I hope you will help us spread the word about the great things happening at SMSU.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to all the 2024 Alumni Achievement Award winners. Please join us on Friday, October 11th, to celebrate their accomplishments as we kick off homecoming at The Southwest Celebration. This new event will allow you to meet students and faculty, reconnect with old friends, and learn more about the great things happening at SMSU.
Sincerely,
