February 15, 2008

Yesterday afternoon, we were reminded again that quiet life on a college campus can quickly be disrupted by unspeakable violence. On the campus of Northern Illinois University, a shooting has taken several lives and wounded many others. I was immediately reminded of the horrific tragedy last spring at Virginia Tech; and how we, at the University of Dayton, reached out to that community. As I did then, I now ask you to keep the students, faculty, staff, parents and other community members of a campus community – this time in DeKalb, Illinois – in your thoughts and prayers. As members of a Catholic, Marianist university, we believe that living, praying and supporting one another in community enriches our faith and strengthens our ability to meet life's challenges and difficulties.

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HERS Summer Institute 2008

December 20, 2007

Two years ago I committed to sponsoring UD women for the HERS Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education. Each summer since 1976, the HERS Summer Institute has been a month-long (mid-June to mid-July) residential program on the campus of Bryn Mawr College. HERS' focus is an intensive leadership and management development curriculum for women faculty and administrators. I’ve made this commitment because I firmly believe that for the University of Dayton to realize its Vision of Excellence it is extremely important that we continually foster the growth and development of the women leaders within our midst. As of this past July, three UD women, Patricia (Tricia) Hart, Kathy Webb and Julie Mitchell, have attended HERS and found it to be as challenging and stimulating as promised.

An internal Advisory Committee assists Dr. Fred Pestello and me in identifying and selecting one tenured faculty or exempt staff woman to attend HERS. In January 2008 we’ll begin the application and selection process for the 2008 HERS Summer Institute. The deadline for our internal application process is February 1, 2008. On January 31, the three UD alumnae of HERS will host a Faculty Exchange Series program (12:00 noon in the LTC) where they will share their HERS experiences and answer questions interested women may have.

For more information on this important opportunity for UD women leaders, present and future, see the attached documents:


Letter from Dr. Curran | Application instructions
Link to the HERS website | HERS 2008 flyer
HERS Advisory Committee contacts | HERS FAQ

 
A National Catholic Leader: Reflections of the President

Fall 2007

Dear alumni and friends,

The University of Dayton, quietly and with characteristic humility, has turned into one of this nation's premier, private Catholic universities.

As I reflect on my first five years as president, I am inspired by all that we — faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends — have been able to accomplish together. With your support, the University of Dayton has become nationally recognized as a top-tier national university that remains true to its Catholic, Marianist mission of putting students first. We have recruited prominent faculty, doubled our sponsored research volume and built a learning-living environment unmatched in the country.

[ Read More ]


May 8, 2007

Dear University of Dayton parents:

I am so proud of how University of Dayton students reached out to each other and to the Virginia Tech community in the aftermath of the horrifying shootings. Students quickly organized an outdoor candlelight prayer vigil that filled the Humanities Center Plaza with more than 1,000 classmates — all there to support each other and their peers at Virginia Tech...

Click to read Dr. Curran's entire letter


April 20, 2007

The Governor's proposed budget calls for steep cuts (66%) in the Student Choice Grant (SCG). The SCG provides financial assistance to full-time students (who are Ohio residents) that are enrolled for baccalaureate study at an Ohio independent, nonprofit college or university. Currently, the SCG annual award is $900 and is not based on need or merit. The Governor's proposed changes will result in nearly 45,000 independent college students each losing $900 in annual grant aid from the state. The impact on the University of Dayton will be over 4,200 UD students who are Ohio residents losing their SCG funding this fall (and into the future). The financial impact to UD students will be over $3.4 million per year. For a number of reasons, this policy course sought by the Governor is not in the best interests of UD's students, Ohio students attending independent colleges and universities in Ohio, and finally, it is not in the greater interests of the State of Ohio. For more details on this topic, you can refer to the attached presentation.

Click to download the Student Choice Grant


April 17, 2007

Dear students, faculty and staff,

In the wake of the senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech, the University of Dayton community sends its prayers and deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims.

We support one another in community -- and reach out to one another in painful times. That's a hallmark of our Catholic, Marianist tradition. Today, we prayed during the noon Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel for all whose lives have been touched by the horror of yesterday's shootings. Tonight, students will hold a candlelight vigil and sign a banner at 7:30 p.m. in the Humanities Plaza to show their support for Virginia Tech. On Thursday, we'll hold a campus-wide moment of silence at 2 p.m.

We are reaching out to students to remind them that counselors, campus ministers and residence education staff are available to talk to them and offer support. We are urging faculty to talk about the tragedy to their students and offer them compassion and any extra support they might need.

We understand that this tragedy raises concerns about safety on college campuses. As we weigh the lessons of Virginia Tech, we will re-examine UD's emergency preparedness plan and continue to take all safety precautions. The public safety office is preparing a safety bulletin that offers tips for spotting possible threats and keeping safe.

I wish you all of God's blessings as we reach out in comfort and prayers to the Virginia Tech community.

Daniel J. Curran, Ph.D.

President

Catholic and Marianist Philosophy of Education Survey Baseline Report

March 2, 2007

Dear campus community and friends of UD:

We are the stewards of a rich educational tradition shaped by the Marianists who founded the University of Dayton more than 150 years ago.

The University of Dayton's board of trustees is committed to putting into practice the Catholic and Marianist philosophy of education. Under the guidance of its mission and identity committee, the board of trustees conducted a survey to determine how well we understand and live that philosophy. That committee is made up of trustees, faculty, staff and students.

Substantial majorities of all groups surveyed believe the University of Dayton reflects its Catholic and Marianist philosophy of education very or extremely well. However, a number of areas emerge where we can do better.

The Catholic and Marianist Philosophy of Education Survey Baseline Report, which will be repeated in three years, offers a ''state of the mission." We invite you to read the report and reflect on its findings. We hope the study will spur campus-wide conversations about ways we can nurture and strengthen our Catholic and Marianist identity. That is our niche in higher education.

May God bless you as we continue to work together in community to shape a future rooted in a powerful religious tradition.

Sincerely,
 
Daniel J. Curran
President		 Bro. Thomas F. Giardino, S.M.
Chair, Mission and Identity Committee


Catholic and Marianist Philosophy of Education
Survey Baseline Report

Fall Letter from Daniel J. Curran, Ph.D.

Fall 2006

Dear alumni and friends,

The University of Dayton is gaining national recognition for what we do best.

Anyone who's ever set foot on campus knows we're all about community — from the front-porch friendliness of the neighborhoods to our outreach efforts in the Dayton community and around the globe. Our research stands among the best in the nation. Our programs are transformative and entrepreneurial. We're extremely proud of three new rankings that show UD's leadership in these areas on the national level.

[ Read More ]

HERS Summer Institute 2007

December 19, 2006

For the University of Dayton to realize its Vision of Excellence, it is extremely important that we continually foster the growth and development of the women leaders within our midst. Participating in the prestigious Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education at Bryn Mawr College (commonly known as "HERS") is one way to accomplish this goal. Last year I formed an Advisory Committee charged with advising and assisting Dr. Fred Pestello and me in identifying and selecting a tenured faculty or exempt staff woman to attend HERS. As a result of that process, Kathy Webb and Patricia Hart spent almost a month this past summer on the Bryn Mawr campus learning with and from dozens of women faculty, staff and admistrators from 55 other institutions. Both Kathy and Tricia reported that while HERS was challenging, it was also extremely beneficial and the knowledge and networks they gained through the experience will contribute to their professional growth for many years to come.

Now we're set to begin the application and selection process again for the 2007 HERS Summer Institute. The deadline for our internal application process is February 7, 2007. See the attachments that follow for more information on this important opportunity for UD women leaders, present and future.


Letter from President Curran | UD Advisory Committee contacts
Application instructions | HERS flyer

Link to HERS website
 

Response to victims of Hurricane Katrina

September 9, 2005

As we live each day through our commitment to the founding principles of what it means to be a Catholic and Marianist institution of higher education, the University of Dayton stands with the nation in mourning the victims of the terrible tragedy in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. I ask that you keep all of those along the Gulf Coast in your prayers. Some of these individuals, we know, have a direct connection to the University of Dayton or are part of the extended family network of our faculty, staff and students. They all need our comfort, kindness, generosity and support. How can we help?

[ Read More ]

To find out more, visit the
Katrina Relief at the University of Dayton
website.

UD on the Move Video

August 30, 2005

The following video file is in a Windows Media file. You will need Windows Media Player or compatible to view the video.

Download Video (12.5 mb)

On the Death of Pope John Paul II

April 4, 2005

The University of Dayton community joins the world in mourning the death, while celebrating the life, of Pope John Paul II. Even unto death, Pope John Paul II lived with dignity, integrity and grace. His life serves as a lesson to us all: that we should care for one another without regard to background or past. God calls us into his presence to love one another. May we all at the University of Dayton remember this great man and the legacy he has left us to learn, serve and lead with humility and love.

Throughout the week, a number of religious services and memorials will be held to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II. Please watch for announcements to arrive via e-mail or check the Campus Ministry Web site at http://www.udayton.edu/~campmin/newest.htm

May his soul rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon him.
- Dr. Daniel J. Curran, President, University of Dayton

September 27, 2004

If you only do one thing outside the classroom this fall — VOTE!

As you continue your academic career at the University of Dayton you will be encouraged to participate actively and knowledgeably in the democratic process. Your first opportunity to act this academic year is in the upcoming presidential election.

[ Read More ]

September 2004

The University of Dayton is on the move.

For the first time, UD is being recognized as a top-tier national university. UD has broken into the top 100 national universities in U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue. UD jumped to seventh place among national Catholic universities.

[ Read More ]

March 2004

Dear Friends:

I’d like to share some exciting news with you. The University of Dayon has entered into an initial agreement with NCR to purchase a 49-acre parcel of property that runs from Brown Street to the Great Miami River. It’s the doorway to campus — and a gateway to downtown and the southern suburbs...

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January 9, 2004

To view the report, be sure to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, and click the title above.

December 2003

Dear University of Dayton "fans:"

I just spent Thanksgiving week in one of the most beautiful spots in the world with 300 of the "Flyer Faithful" wildly cheering the Dayton Flyers to victory in the 20th Maui Invitational Tournament...

[ Read More ]

Fall 2003

Dear friend,

One of the greatest joys of being at the University of Dayton is watching students take advantage of the opportunities we present to them...

[ Read More ]

October 9, 2003

To the University of Dayton Community,

As a Catholic and Marianist university, the University of Dayton is committed to the dignity of the person and to building a diverse educational community. Yet, the campus is experiencing incidents of behavior that are disrespectful, unacceptable and disregard our commitment to diversity...

[ Read More ]