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Welcome Momentum to Campus

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Not long after I arrived on campus in 2002, I heard the buzz about our reputation: that Coastal Carolina University was the best-kept secret in the South, too few knew our academic and athletic success, and we're a party school. Now, suddenly, we've landed on the Forbes 600 list, identified as among the top fifteen percent of colleges nationally. And the good news doesn't end there. We've also been named one of America's Best College Buys. These two announcements, following our success with the penny sales tax referendum and the placement of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration on the Princeton 300 list, are giving us Big Momentum in the midst of the worst economic downturn in American history.

So, what's happening? It's simple: the hard work you've invested is finally earning significant accolades. I say "significant" because your perseverance, time and talent have forever changed this university. You and your colleagues, our students and alumni, our Board of Trustees and advisory boards, the Coastal Educational Foundation and Horry County Higher Education Commission are united more powerfully than ever. We have cleared the ground and poured a fresh foundation. We're poised for academic growth and an exciting future.

The Provost and his staff are studying enrollment trends and initiating new programs. We're preparing to hire 54 new faculty next fall. Our Executive Vice President and his staff are marketing the University in exciting ways and pursuing new institutional grants. They are also engaged in strategic and long-range planning for University growth. Our Vice President of Advancement and his staff are expanding alumni chapters, networking with prospective donors and reviewing pledges. They've all caught the fever, and I'm talking "excitement," not Swine Flu.

Everywhere I go, other educators mention all this recent good news as if - to them - it's a complete surprise. I thank them and smile politely, because, although the news is good, they haven't seen anything yet.

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