Faculty Celebration for Tenure and Promotion Dinner
November 20, 2020
- Thank you.
- While there are many important celebrations during the year, there really is no more significant event that recognizes the commitment of Oakland University faculty members than the Faculty Celebration for Tenure and Promotion Dinner.
- Each year, this celebration is cause for us to come together to share dinner, conversation and renew our shared appreciation of the power and promise of higher education.
- It’s a time and place to realize our important role as advocates for education and the ideals of a public university as a means to foster opportunity, an improved quality of life, a more civil discourse and a more compassionate world.
- These past nine months have been quite a challenge for all of us in so many ways.
- Here we are…. rather than sharing our time together in a personal, up-close way… we have gathered virtually.
-
- We miss the opportunity to shake hands.
- To pat a colleague on the back.
- To embrace a friend.
- And, to feel the unique energy that can only be felt when we’re together physically for a common cause.
- We miss the opportunity to shake hands.
- While we all know why we must meet in a virtual setting, what isn’t “virtual” about tonight is our commitment to Oakland University and to each other.
- I would like to take a moment, and suggest that all faculty share in the award for persistence, dedication and teamwork.
-
- Along with the Board of Trustees, the Interim Provost and the OU leadership team, I have been inspired by your willingness to adapt your teaching modalities, and your selfless actions as we have responded to the many challenges of the pandemic.
- Together…. We have proven to be quite a community.
- Along with the Board of Trustees, the Interim Provost and the OU leadership team, I have been inspired by your willingness to adapt your teaching modalities, and your selfless actions as we have responded to the many challenges of the pandemic.
< T r a n s i t i o n >
- The diverse range of faculty members we honor gives all of us a sense of pride, and excellent work is crucial part of furthering the distinguished Oakland faculty.
- Those we honor tonight play a central role in helping Oakland University remain true to our mission, vision and to making sure we’re doing all we can to help students succeed, conduct impactful research, engage in our communities and strive to be a diverse and inclusive campus.
- Finally, this evening and on every occasion when any faculty member is recognized for their work, we all share in the pride of their accomplishments.
- There can be no doubt that the faculty is the backbone of Oakland University.
- And tonight, we recognize those faculty who remind us why Oakland University has such a promising future.
- And tonight, we recognize those faculty who remind us why Oakland University has such a promising future.
- Thank you for your dedication to making us the University of Choice, and congratulations on your accomplishments.
- Thank you.