Summer 2005

Message From the Alumni Association President

Change - some people welcome and seek it out. Others, well, change may not be at the top of their list of fun things to do. But, whether or not we like it, change comes. For Rose-Hulman alumni, change has come in many ways over the years. Beginning with graduation, you change from the student life to the work life and ever increasing responsibilities. Families come along for many of us and our lives change forever. For too many of us that graduated and went to work for large corporations, change often has come in mergers, buyouts, layoffs and new careers paths. Whether we enjoy it or not, change comes, we deal with it and make the best of our lives.

Just as change comes to all of us, change comes to Rose-Hulman. As you know by now, President Midgley has decided to leave the Institute. A new search has begun for his replacement and a good cross-section of those that make up the Rose family will assist with the new search. We tend to remember Rose as it was when we were students. If you have not been back to campus for several years, you may not recognize the campus. Change is apparent in the buildings on campus and in the make-up of the student body. Change also is evident in what for many of us was the history of the Institute - the educators. Today, more than one-half of those who teach the next generation of engineers have been at Rose less than 5 years. With new buildings and new people, Rose must work at maintaining its culture while accepting that not every old way may be the best. Students no longer wear beanies or use slide rules but the culture is intact. Now, the alumni must be prepared to help the next new president who will be selected to lead Rose. If you have any concerns or questions concerning the process for selecting the next president, please send them to Brian Dyer in the alumni office and he will be sure that they are passed on to the appropriate people.

I can report on one way that alumni have helped with the changes in the costs of a Rose-Hulman education. As of June, 2005, more than $1.8 million has been raised through our Class Scholarship Program. I must also report though that the classes of 1957, 1962, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1992, and 1993 have yet to raise even $100 for their Class Scholarship. I have no doubt that the members of these classes support Rose-Hulman in a variety of ways including financial support. These classes though, and the rest of us, now have an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the new Lilly matching grant program through which Lilly will donate up to $4.5 million to match gifts made by alumni and others. Take advantage of this match. It would be a shame to leave money on the table that could have been used in the Class Scholarship Program. If you would like to assist in raising funds from your class, please contact Bill Foraker in the development office at 812-877-8219.

While the search for our next president continues, planning for the future also cannot stop. Dr. Midgley initiated Rose-Hulman 2015 - A Conversation About Our Future to begin the planning process for the changes that must inevitably come in the future. That process must continue if we are to provide the best possible education to students ten years from now. Whether you are concerned with what the chemical engineering department does in the future, the cost of tuition, the condition of older dorms on campus, or the potential employers for future alumni, your input is important. You can still provide your thoughts and concerns by either sending an email to conversation@rosehulman.edu or by writing to Rose-Hulman 2015 at Campus Box 14.

Jeff Burgan ’77
Alumni Association President