As my 10th year as president of Hendrix begins, the College stands at a pivotal moment. We have reached most of the ambitious goals the Trustees set in 2003. Now, we are in a strong position for future advancement as we begin the second decade of the 21st century. This is a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished together for Hendrix. We have:
- Redesigned the curriculum and moved from a three-term academic calendar to a semester calendar.
- Introduced Your Hendrix Odyssey: Engaging in Active Learning, an innovative component of the curriculum that combines critical thought with action.
- Become nationally recognized as a leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. In August, U.S. News & World Report listed Hendrix as the nation’s No. 1 “up-and-coming” liberal arts college for the second consecutive year.
- Raised more than $99 million toward our $100 million goal and expect to complete A Commitment to National Leadership: The Hendrix Campaign by Dec. 31, 2010.
- Enrolled 1,469 students for the fall semester, setting a new record and surpassing the Trustees’ enrollment goal of 1,300. In 2001, our enrollment was about 1,000.
- Increased our full-time faculty to maintain a 12-to-1 student-faculty ratio, adding new positions in art, biology, chemistry, classics, computer science, film studies, history, international relations, mathematics, philosophy, politics, psychology, public health, religion and Spanish. More than 40% of our faculty has been hired in the last six years.
- Added new majors in allied health, American studies, biochemistry/molecular biology, chemical physics, classics, environmental studies, and kinesiology, and a master’s degree program in accounting.
- Added new facilities including all new buildings for the science and art programs, a new home for the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language, the Wellness and Athletics Center and adjacent playing fields, new student residences houses and apartments, and the Student Life and Technology Center, which opened in January and is the first LEED Gold-certified building on an Arkansas college campus.
- Added the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Miller Center for Vocation, Ethics and Calling and the Crain-Maling Center of Jewish Culture, the first of its kind at a United Methodist college.
- Developed a large part of Phase I of the Village at Hendrix, a neighborhood that will influence the footprint of the College for the next 100 years.
Each of the items on this list enriches the educational experience of Hendrix students. None of these achievements would be possible without the support of alumni, parents, friends and the United Methodist Church.
Your generous support has allowed us to conduct a successful campaign in the middle of an economic downturn. We are grateful for your gifts and inspired by your confidence in Hendrix and your commitment to our mission.
We recognize your contributions in the Honor Roll of Donors, which begins on Page 39. Please review this list and join me in thanking those whose generosity has made Hendrix’ success possible. If you are among our loyal donors, I thank you for your long-term support. If your name has not yet been added to the list,
I encourage you to give to Hendrix and its mission to change the lives of those who can change the world.
J. Timothy Cloyd, Ph.D.
President