LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Firebirds Rise Again!
impeded the University’s ability to advance. sensitivity to the needs of students, faculty, and staff. He is a champion of student success and excellent in customer service. Equally important, Mr. Mason is dedicated to the
T
University’s mission as a pacesetter in urban education, ensuring that it offers affordable
described as a large bird with ma-
and effective undergraduate, graduate, pro-
jestic plumage that emits a bright
fessional, and workplace education. The
red, orange, and yellow light, that
Board of Trustees is confident that we chose
represents a turbulent flame of the
well. President Mason gives us hope that we
past. In folklore, the Firebird is comparable to
are moving in the right direction to build
the Phoenix, rising from the ashes and project-
upon the legacy and vision of Myrtilla Miner
ing a narrative of survival and hope.
more than 160 years ago. With Mr. Mason at
versity of the District of Columbia, I sense an electric air of excitement that I have not felt before. I hear it in conversations with faculty, staff and students. Even visitors notice it. This new excitement, this electricity results from a shared belief and shared hope that the University of the District of Columbia is on the rise and, like its mascot, Firebird, it has survived turbulent times. These feelings of bright possibility can be attributed to the arrival of Ronald Mason, Jr., J.D., the school’s 9th president, selected during an intensive national search that involved a review of 90 applications by a cross-section of the University stakeholders, including distinguished leaders in higher education, business and government. The Board of Trustees chose Mr. Mason because of his exemplary career. He is a proven, highly motivated, accomplished and exceptional professional, uniquely suited to assume leadership of the University. Already, President Mason has demonstrated his ability to effect change at the University, shifting the lexicon to student success, excellence, and accountability. He is not afraid to tackle difficult issues that previously
4
FA L L 2 01 5
The University of the District of Columbia has embarked on a visionary transformation to become an academically competitive public university. These are some of the facts and figures that tell the UDC story.
He is moving deliberately, with purpose and
he Firebird is a mythical creature
When I step onto the campus of the Uni-
By The Numbers
Dr. Mason is a champion of student success and excellence in customer service. He is dedicated to the University’s mission as a pacesetter in urban education that offers affordable and effective undergraduate, graduate, professional and workplace education.
the helm, there can be little doubt that the Firebird truly is on the rise, illuminating the landscape of public higher education in the District of Columbia, and around the world. Don’t take my word for it. Read in this issue of Legacy Magazine, President Mason’s thoughts about his new role and his plans for the future. We also recognize the hardworking Board of Trustees and pay tribute to the late Floretta Dukes McKenzie, 2015 Distinguished Alumna of the Year. Faculty research, our Homeland Security Program, books written by members of our distinguished faculty, the University’s land-grant mission, and other exciting activities that have occurred in 2015 are all featured. I hope you enjoy this issue of Legacy Magazine.
Elaine A. Crider Board of Trustees Chair
no.7
NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKING IN CLINICAL TRAINING AMONG ALL U.S. LAW SCHOOLS
5100
105’
21 20,000 8 TONS 773
FACULTY RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IN EXCESS OF
$
APPROXIMATELY
MILLION
SQUARE-FOOT GREEN ROOF ON TOP OF BUILDING 44
THE HEIGHT OF THE NEW STUDENT CENTER’S TOWER
NEW STUDENT FALL ENROLLMENT
(33% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR)
OF TOP QUALITY PRODUCE GROWN AT UDC RESEARCH FARM WWW.UDC. EDU
5