Board Chairman C. Richard Beckett

The University continues to expand and further strengthen academic and student programs. Substantial investments are being made in teaching faculty and the academic program. Eight new faculty members were added last fall as part of the build-up to increase the number of full-time faculty from 160 in 2005 to 195 by 2009, and a similar number is expected to be added next fall.

Forensic science and animal science majors continue to grow, along with progression of the doctor of pharmacy program into its fifth year next fall. The animal science major complements the strong pre-veterinary and equestrian programs.

A balanced budget is projected for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2008, and for the next fiscal year.

Construction planned for the summer and fall includes $2 million of maintenance and renovation projects on campus, including air conditioning of two major residence halls. Construction will begin in the summer on an animal handling teaching facility on property which the University has purchased adjacent to the Western Equestrian Farm, six miles south of Findlay. The University has also bought a 53-acre property on County Road 166, known as the Rieck Center for Habitat Studies, for a biology field station.

The English and Western equestrian teams are undefeated this year and compete for the National Championships next week in Burbank, Calif.

The above information and actions were part of a meeting of the University Board of Trustees on May 1 and 2. Twenty-five regular trustees and four special trustees attended the meeting.

“We had a good meeting,” Board Chairman C. Richard Beckett said. “Trustees are pleased with the progress and direction of the University. We are systematically strengthening the academic, teaching and student programs while improving finances. The University is adding exciting new educational features which will serve well long into the future.”