by Rita Cheng, President
All the preparation and anticipation of the big move to campus has finally brought us to this day—and I do mean us. It has been only weeks since the announcement that I would be president of Northern Arizona University but my husband Tom and I are already calling NAU and Flagstaff home. The transition has been an excellent reminder of the excitement and challenges experienced during this time of year by everyone who is a part of campus.
For those faculty, staff and students who are returning, this is a time of renewed optimism and energy. Whether you are a second-year student or a tenured professor, change and opportunity are as familiar as old friends.
But nothing quite matches the life-changing experience of moving to college for the first time. To all of you, I wish the best. There will be stress and complications, but this is also a moment to savor.
NAU is well known for being an active, diverse campus, and I encourage everyone to strive for excellence while maintaining a healthy balance in your lives. So settle in, begin to explore and get started on a great semester. I’ll do the same, and I look forward to meeting each of you over the fall semester.