UAH: President's Blog

Early observations about UAHuntsville

So I’ve been at UAHuntsville for a short period of time, most of the time listening to the thoughts of others as I meet with them to learn about this university, but I managed some time at the fitness center trying to work off the hours of sitting in meetings.

First impressions count, misleading though they might be. Mine are:
1) It's a beautiful campus; lots of space to grow but it’s difficult to get from Madison to Morton unless you know your way around (more maps and signs?). I can see that the service parking sticker will come in useful during the semester. We need to move forward with our plans become a more pedestrian/biker/friendly place.

2) We have a new entrance and a new building; both sending the right message; you have to turn east off Sparkman if you want to get a good job west of Sparkman.

3) The fitness center is exactly what it should be – a meeting place for everyone at UAH, an integral part of the Huntsville community and the perfect place to refresh the mind while exhausting the body. But how come I’m the only one in the Blue and White? We need a bit of Charger Pride round here – too many Blue Devils and UATide T-shirts on display. Let’s run with the Chargers!

4) The new Saturn V exhibition hall across 565 is phenomenal; what an opportunity to attract students here. The best technology in the world has been created in Huntsville for more than 40 years and people from around the world come to see this. We need to make sure that the world also knows that UAH means UAHuntsville.

5) Met with the transfer students and the freshmen – what an eclectic group! Our diversity is our strength and we need to build on it as much as we can. Quite a difference from my former institution! Good to know that new students come to UAHuntsville from Boston MA and Seattle WA.

Give Dave your comments here!