In his great work The Idea of a University, John Henry Newman, one of the greatest minds of the 19th century, defined the academy as "a place to which a thousand schools make contributions; in which the intellect may safely range and speculate...where inquiry is pushed forward, discoveries verified and perfected... it is a seat of wisdom, a light of the world... an Alma Mater of the rising generation." Although this University does not boast "a thousand schools," but rather eight, I believe Newman's definition aptly captures the spirit of UMDNJ.

It is impossible to separate a university from its people, and that indeed holds true at UMDNJ. I am delighted by the number of passionate members of the faculty, student body and administration with whom I have come in contact even in my short time here. I find an atmosphere charged with new ideas and creative energy. I find a University whose students are learning and growing more rapidly than at perhaps any other time in their lives and whose faculty are charting the future with new knowledge.

Under the auspices of my predecessor, Dr. Stuart Cook, who served as president of UMDNJ for six years, the University has pursued a strategic intent whose goal was to raise the University to a higher tier of elite universities nationwide, universities recognized for their commitment to academic excellence, research prowess, and community service. We are now embarked on a new era of strategic planning, one that will establish a new vision for the University. We are also actively engaged in the self-evaluation process that is required as part of our Middle States Association accreditation. As we move forward, I am confident that, with our many current collective strengths, the momentum we have built will continue to grow and we will achieve greatness

While only 34 years old, UMDNJ, in a relatively short period of time, has established a record of remarkable accomplishments. But for this University to be truly bound for greatness, we must be committed to a critical step in institutional maturity -- to view the University not as independent entities limited by profession, by school or by geography, but rather as an integrated whole. The individual aspirations of each unit are valuable, but to be achievable, they must be grounded in our success as a University.

As you review this annual report, I hope you will be impressed by the full impact of the University as a resource for life. Our researchers have indeed pushed forward inquiry. They have verified and perfected discoveries that will be a resource for a better life for millions of people, and they are but one facet of a multi-dimensional academy. Our combined resources bode well for the University's ability to be a leader in academic medicine now and to shape the future of health sciences in the changing world of the 21st century.