Howard W. Hewitt – Wabash College’s strategic planning was put into perspective Thursday after President Patrick White gave the first Chapel Talk of the new school year.
“We often say we stand on the shoulders of Little Giants before us, but if all we do is look down we might not see clearly and we might fall,” the President said in outlining plans.
White announced he would create a President’s Student Advisory Committee to the large crowd of Wabash men gathered for his talk. The Committee will advise the president throughout the year and provide input to the strategic plan.†
President White also announced he would ask 40 members of the faculty and staff to join committees to work on various areas of the new plan. He hopes to deliver the strategic plan to Wabash College Trustees during their May, 2008, meeting.
“All colleges do plans,” White said. “But some do plans out of necessity. We have the fortune of planning from a position of strength.”
White noted the first-week census counted 917 students – perhaps Wabash’s largest-ever enrollment. He noted the endowment is strong with more than $380 million and the completion of a very successful annual fund drive.”
The strategic planning will go hand-in-hand with a master plan on campus facilities, White said. But he warned the students not to think of strategic planning as a boring exercise, but a chance to have a hand in shaping the College’s future.
“This may sound technical and dry, but it’s very, very important work. You as students must help us. It’s the men and women in the Chapel today who must carry Wabash forward. We’re Little Giants when we stand tall, but we’re Little Giants even more when we see far.”
Hear White’s full Chapel Talk by clicking on this Podcast.
Dean of Students Tom Bambrey will give the Sept. 6 Chapel Talk.
