It is that great time of year again…Spring, flowers, The Kentucky Derby and graduation! To me it is the most colorful and festive time of the year. For our new UT graduates, it is the celebration of a major accomplishment in their lives. I congratulate each and every one of our new Rocket Alumni.

But our job is not really done until they have a job that allows them to use their diverse talents in an effective and rewarding manner. In essence, to head or continue down the path of a fulfilled and happy life.

So it is in that spirit that the Division of External Affairs reached out to our UT family and the community to put together an online tool to help people prepare for that next step in their career and life.  Please take a look and let me know what you think…it is an ongoing and dynamic tool that can be improved and become more inclusive with time.

Click the image to enter the Get A Job web app

Thanks to my colleagues in Marketing, Communications and The Center for Creative Instruction.  Also, a special thanks to our Career Services folks who guide and assist students and alumni everyday of the year.  And, thanks to our community members you have added their valuable insight as well.

Happy Spring!  Go Rockets.

Regards,  Larry.

I recently returned from my first trip to China to cultivate on-going relationships and to establish some new one’s as it relates to the recruitment of students to our University of Toledo. What a journey it was!

Students from Xi'an

Our first stop was in Shanghai as we hosted an alumni dinner.  Over a dozen alumni attended this delightful dinner and their stories and memories about UT were very heartfelt. These alumni are currently industry leaders in the automotive and other technology driven businesses.  The friendships that they developed as Graduate Students at UT have lived on for decades and they truly see UT as their second home.

Our next stop was at he Chien-Shiung Institute of Technology. Mark Schroeder, Associate Director, Office of Undergrduate Addmissions, and our friends from Owens Community College solidified an innovative One+One+Two Program that will positively impact all 3 instituions and our students in the future.

The next day we started visiting high schools. We made a stop at the Suzhou Experimental High School. This was a delightful visit and we meet with several students interested in attending UT.

Our journey then lead us to Xi’an where we visited another high school known as Dongyi High School. I had the opportunity to sit in on an English class and provide some thoughts as to the lesson plan. I was so very impressed with these young Chinese students and their ability to speak our language and their eagerness to improve.  The hightlight of the visit was the entire class shouting “Go Rockets!” as we left.

We then went to Qinhuangdao.  This is a  Sister City of Toledo and we visited our sister institution Yanshan University.  The University of Toledo has had a long standing relationship with Yanshan University and it’s getting stronger all the time. We met with their President, Liu Hongmin to discuss initiatives to increase the exchange of students and faculty at our institutions.  I am confident that we left with some creative ideas to implement that will result in more of our UT students visiting Yanshan to study and an increased flow of Chinese students attending the University of Toledo.

My first visit to China was a wonderful experience.  The potential to develop fruitful relationships  is endless. It clearly is a direction our University will benefit from for years to come. I look forward to working with faculty, Deans and other UT representatives in furthering these relationships.

Onward, regards.  Larry.

My lovely Mother is visiting us from Detroit…she loves visiting us. I think mainly because of Oscar and Kizzie….the Airedale “grand kids”.  So, we were getting reading to go to the Lady Rocket game last Saturday against Bowling Green.  A major Rocket victory I might add, and, Mom fell and hit her head. Wow….a major change in plans.

So Judie and I got in the car and headed to our hospital…UTMC. I am so proud to say that the minute we stepped foot in the door my Mom was treated with respect, dignity and care. I want to thank the great team of Todd Sayler, RN, Whitney, the smiling and wonderful CT Tech, Mary in Radiology who along with Whitney eased Moms’ fears of the CT Scan, Dr. Grider, the ER Attending who possess a comforting personality with some relaxing humor, Emily Burns, RN and Sara Martino, PA who sewed Mom up and made it all seem better. Thank you all! You are indeed making a difference.

We are a fabulous University with many great people. The people at our Medical Center are clearly helping to Improve The Human Condition.

Regards, Larry.

Well I am headed up to Mt. Pleasant this Saturday to visit CMU for the first time in decades. This time I really feel I need to say “thank you” to all of my professors and mentors from back in the 70′s.

Judie and I are the guests of President Dr. George Ross for the CMU Homecoming. I really feel a need to say a ceremonial “thank you” .

When I arrived at CMU in 1975 I was not really sure about anything except that I wanted to have fun. I really had no idea what my future held. Not sure what talents, if any, I had.

I was not beaming with self confidence or self esteem and really was kind of frightened about the future. Maybe I was an average college student.

Well, what happened over the next few years was the result of my professors and life long friends Mike Smith and Curt Mink. Professors like Dr. Richard Allen and Dr. Ling helped to mold me into a student and someone who actually enjoyed class and I began to feel like I had a direction. My professors were positive and always encouraging me to develop new skills. I didn’t know it at the time but they were shaping my life for me. Building my self confidence and self esteem.

They loved CMU and they loved what they were doing and they had a profound impact on me. And, I have never really said “thank you”. Oh I know they won’t be there Saturday and I know no one will know me either but I plan on saying “thank you!” anyway. I can only imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t go to CMU and more importantly if I didn’t have these professors who helped me believe in myself.

So now it’s 2011 and I am a die hard Rocket. I have the privilege to teach college students about Public Relations each semester. Every time I walk through the classroom door I remember Dr.Allen and what he did for me. During each class session I remind my students that they all have talents, they all are a brand of their own, that they all can have fulfilling careers and lives. I try to build up their self esteem and confidence and get them ready for the next step in their lives. I’m not sure I have helped anyone but believe me it is my main goal each semester. My CMU experience did this for me and I feel a need to do this for my Rockets. To me, this is what it means to be Professor Burns. A privilege and an honor to impact lives each day!

So I am going back up to Mount Pleasant a true Rocket but I will be thanking my Chippewa friends for what they did some 35 years ago.

Go Rockets… thanks for reading.

Regards, Larry.

My Uncle Dan passed away this week at the age of 86. He had and lived a wonderful life. Now I know people reading this did not know Uncle Dan but my message is important to me and I hope it provokes some thoughts in you.

You see, Uncle Dan had a spirit about him that I can honestly say was unique to anyone I have ever met. He simply looked at everything in life in a positive manner.  In my 55 years of knowing him I never heard him say a negative word about anyone or anything….Really. He would simply smile and and say something positive.

Uncle Dan worked at Ford for his whole career and was the ultimate Ford man. I never heard him say a bad word about work or Ford…this seems to be a trend in his life. But the most important thing in Uncle Dan’s life was clearly his family. He would simply light up when his wife, my lovely Aunt Jeanne or three children, my wonderful cousins where mentioned. I truly believe every sports practice, ballet recital or birthday party for him was the highlight of his day.

Now to why I am writing this for you to read. You see, Uncle Dan was possibly the happiest person I have ever known. Really. Now he experienced life’s losses…losing his Dad at a young age, a little sister far too young. But in spite of life’s ups and downs he was so darn happy. His life long lesson to me is clear now. Be positive, look for the good in everyone, cherish your family, work hard, don’t be negative and you are going to enjoy life and most of all be happy. Isn’t that what we all strive for in the long run?

So the next time I think to criticise someone or complain about something I am going to invision my Uncle Dan. The attitude, the smile and the results.
Heaven has another Irishman today…and indeed it is bit happier because Uncle Dan has joined the group.

Thanks for reading, Regards, Larry.

Yesterday was a great day to be a Toledo Rocket. It will be a day to remember for many reasons. Yes, I would love to forget the final score but the day is deeper than the score. You see it was the day that it became very clear to many that we belong.

Our Toledo Rocket football team arrived in Buckeye land with one thing on their mind…to win. It was so very evident that from the moment they took the field in pre-game warms ups that they were not overwhelmed by the stage or the opponent. I have been around teams that clearly give you the impression that they “were just happy to be here”. Not this Rocket squad. Our marching band gave you the feeling that they certainly belong as well. And our fan base was great…very loud and proud. Led by the cheerleaders and of course Rocky.

This “belonging” feeling is the result of many key things. It starts with Mike O’Brien and the expectations and goals he sets for our Athletics Program. Remember who schedules these opponents…Boise State at the Glass Bowl Friday. I can’t tell how people have said to me “Really!” And ESPN. This is part of the plan…and it’s working.

Next is the selection of the right Coaches…and Mike sets the standards based on each person and their “make up”. Tim Beckman is first and foremost a good man, a husband and a father…who happens to believe in winning with integrity. As I like to say…”taking the high road”.

Next are the players. Take a close look at this Rocket team around campus. They are engaged, polite, in class and succeeding. I have had several football players in my class…they are in the first row, participating and learning.

This is all part of belonging on the national stage…and we are there. Now, YOU belong. You belong at the Glass Bowl on Friday night to help show the nation and the world UT has indeed arrived.

Thanks for listening.

 Regards, Larry.

Well the new academic year has arrived! The excitement and buzz around campus is increasing every day…I could hear our Marching Band practicing as I left Campus last night. A great sound and a great feeling.

This also marks the end of a very active and intense recruiting year. I want to thank all of the External Affairs team members who have been working so hard to integrate our recruiting efforts. This includes Marketing, Communications, CCI, Equity and Diversity and of course, Rocket Solution Central, Financial Aid and Admission! These great folks work in partnership with our Deans, Chairmen, Faculty and Staff to enroll our new and returning Rocket Family. Thanks to all.

And yes, we have already been working on our next recruiting class! With the busy season just around the corner, I want to share with you our new on-line viewbook.

Click here to launch the Viewbook.

This is truly one of the most exciting new marketing tools we have ever created. Make sure you try the Facebook integration element of the book. This was done totally in-house within External Affiars. Kudos to all…and there are many that worked on this product.

Please let me know what you think. And Welcome to all of our new Rocket Family members!.

Regards, Larry.

The Division of External Affairs has expanded with the addition of the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women which is now under the direction of Dr. Shanda Gore. I look forward of working with the dedicated staff and volunteers of this unique and valuable part of our University.

I am also excited to share with you an up-dated web page for our Center for Creative Instruction (CCI).  Great work Kathleen Walsh and team! CCI is another dynamic element of our Division of External Affairs.  Please take look and explore some of the very creative and innovate projects of CCI.

Thanks for taking the time to visit.  Onward!

Regards,  Larry.

To the graduates

to seersucker

to really cold beer on a really hot day

to freshly cut grass

to bright colored bow ties

to Tiger baseball

to cocktails in the yard

to a freshly washed car

to outdoor concerts

to grilling with friends

to Northern Michigan

to having it light out past 9:00 pm

to an iced cold COKE in an old fashion green bottle after a long run

to Kizzie rolling in the grass

to Oscar drinking from the garden fountain

To Forrest Dunes

to Fathers Day

to white bucks

to Stroh’s…when it was fire brewed

to The Beach Boys

to Pine Knob

to fresh Lake Erie Perch

to time with friends at the Dooley homestead

to Ohio grown tomatoes and corn

to “Beach Music”

to celebrating my Mom’s birthday

and my birthday too

to the CCD member-guest

to Bachelor Buttons

to Vinyard Vines and Southern Tides

Let me know your favorite things about Summer. Enjoy!

Regards,  Larry.

I want to congratulate a wonderful team of fellow Rockets for their great work on the recent transition to OmniUpdate. OmniUpdate is the University’s new website content management system, selected from more than 900 systems on the market.

OmniUpdate highlights include: MAC/PC friendly, works in any browser, page owners can publish their web page themselves (where as they used to have to wait for an overnight deploy) and it’s real easy to make updates.

More than 200 people were trained in 5 days of live training sessions and 334 user accounts have been set up.

We will be hosting “brown bag” sessions twice a month in June, July and August on topics of interest to Web content updaters. We are continuing to provide training, problem solving and are responding to suggestions and ideas.  Please encourage the UT community to send thoughts and comments to webdevelopment@utoledo.edu.

The folks who I want to thank are Brian Szabo, Sharon Dietrich, Sue Shible and Brock Clagg.  All valuable team members of our Center for Creative Instruction!  And the ladies who lead the way are Sherry Andrews and Kathleen Walsh. Great team work folks!  Thank you.

Check out the OmniUpdate…

Regards, Larry.