Dialogue with Larry Burns

As this academic year nears completion nears, I think it’s a good time to look toward next fall. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with my colleague Kevin Kucera about enrollment services and some of the exciting programs being implemented to ensure our continued growth at the University of Toledo. I hope you enjoy this brief interview and let me know if you have any thoughts and comments. Regards, Larry.

How many TV shows use initials now that mean some kind of ‘investigation”? Well, at UT our CCI stands for “The Center for Creative Instruction”. This is our “lab” for new ways to use technology to communicate, teach and provide patient care. We are so very fortunate to have this center that also provides all of the leadership for our web development and portal tools. Along with a stong partnership with our IT department we are a national leader in University technology. Please take a few minutes to meet Ms. Sherry Andrews our CCI Director. Enjoy! Regards, Larry.

Had a great time at the Spring football game this past Friday. The team was full of enthusiasm and spirit… the Tim Beckman era has officially started. Great things to come.

How about our Lady Rocket golfers!. Two first-place finishes in a row …how about a “hat-trick”, since the NHL playoff season is underway.

Kudos to Georgina Hunt for being named the Md-American Conference golfer of the week. Georgina is from Eastbourne in the United Kingdom. Congratulations.

It was a sad day last week when Mark “The Bird” Fidrych died. I vividly remember the wonderful 1976 Tiger season. Each time “The Bird” pitched it was as if it was a World Series game. “The Bird” had the enthusiasm of a 10-year-old and the arm of a Hall of Famer (at least for one special season), the June 28, 1976 Yankees at Tigers game was one of the highlights of my sporting life. There willl never be anyone like “The Bird”.

Just read about the new netbooks… these mini laptops are poised to reshape the industry. It’s fun to see technology emerge and change the way we do business and conduct our lives. Anyone have one? If so, what do you think?

Have a great week. I’m told Spring will arrive again on Thursday. Regards, Larry.

I am happy to report that Spring seems to have actually arrived on this beautiful Thursday morning.  Today is opening day for the Toledo Mud Hen’s and there will certainly be a full house enjoying the festivities this evening.

But tomorrow is “Bow Tie Friday!”

You may not be aware of this, but “Bow Tie Friday” is my small ritual to mark the end of the work week and also have a little fun with my wardrobe.  Now, I know most men only wear a bow tie a few times in their life … their senior prom, their wedding and maybe their retirement dinner.  I’m not suggesting that you all run out and buy a collection of pink, periwinkle or traditional rep-stripe bow ties, but I do suggest you read the recent article in the Wall Street Journal written by Christina Binkley.

Ms. Brinkley writes:

It’s just a slim slip of silk, yet it says so much.

After years under the chins of the pocket-protector crowd, the bow tie is cool. It now appears on “Gossip Girl” characters, fashion runways and sports stars — as well as young hipsters.

Forgotten by fashion for years, a bow tie today is both nostalgic and new.

It certainly takes a little courage to wear a bow tie, and I have picked Friday’s because that seems to be the day I am a little braver.

Even though I’m not suggesting everyone wear a bow tie on Friday’s, I would certainly enjoy the company. So, let me know if you want to join me. But more importantly, I think we all need to have a little something each week that brightens our day and something we look forward to even on Monday! And, something that sets us apart from the rest of the pack.  I would enjoy hearing other rituals and ways to brighten up the work week.

Also, in the same Wall Street Journal edition there is an article written by Dale Buss regarding the recent Jay Leno performance in Detroit.  The article mentions some of the positive things that recently occurred in the motor city and also mentions my good friend Paul W. Smith from WJR radio.  It’s worth reading and hopefully will give us all optimism regarding our own Toledo.  Enjoy the weekend and if you see me Friday please comment on my tie.

Regards, Larry.

Hello.  How many of you currently have a Facebook account, Twitter daily, and view Youtube frequently?  My guess is that  most of you that are reading this participate in all of these social media activities.

As you undoubtedly know, our External Affairs Division  is actively pursuing social media as a better way to communicate with our many audiences.  We feel that prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends will be better informed about our university if we are leading the way in social media communications.

We’re working to combine the social media activities you use even more completely with the UT Journals. Now, you can easily comment on my journal using your Facebook account. Just click on the “connect” icon in the sidebar under “Comment using Facebook.” Then, comment like you normally would. Your comment can be shared with your friends on Facebook and you can even invite your friends you think would find the post interesting.

I asked Mr. Tobin Klinger, Senior Director of University Communications, to reflect on some of his thoughts regarding social media and the University of Toledo.  I also asked  about the current media relations program that is focusing more on national media coverage for our university.  Enjoy the interview and be sure to use the new Facebook comment feature to let me know your thoughts, regards Larry.

It is Spring right?  I know it will be getting warmer out…the Tiger’s opening day in Detroit is Friday.    We are continually preparing for our next incoming freshman class and are confident that next August will bring another semester of increased enrollment.  We are also in constant discussions on how our university can be better prepared to handle this growth.  The attached interview covers some of our thoughts, concerns and plans.  Let me know if you have any additional ideas.

Regards,  Larry.

Getting ready for The Final Four in Motown;

How great is it for Michigan State to have made the Final Four in Detroit where they will have a huge hometown advantage?

There is an insightful article in the March 30 Sports Illustrated Re: mid-major schools.  One of the highlights in the article mentions Gonzaga and their success over the last decade.  Enrollment has increased by 62%, and the average SAT score has gone up 24 points during this period.  Xavier is mentioned as well regarding their success and what it has meant to the university.  I guarantee it won’t be too long before Tricia Cullop  and Gene Cross accomplish similar things for our University.

It’s unfortunate that the General Motors publicity is occurring this week regarding Rick Wagoner.  Mr. Wagoner was instrumental in securing the final four in Detroit and by the way, there would be no Ford Field without The Ford Motor Company and the Ford family.  I don’t think people living outside of our general area understand the impact that the automotive companies, their executives, their employees and retirees have on our communities.

Also trying to get used to reading the Detroit Free Press online since on Monday there  was no home delivery. Just  not the same.

Final details are being completed for the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships hosted by our University of Toledo. The event takes place from May 26-30 at the Inverness Club.  If you’re interested in volunteering during the week please e-mail me. You can also become a fan on Facebook. It’s going to be a wonderful experience and a great chance to see tomorrow’s legends up close and personal.

Another positive note.  The manager of The Holiday Inn Express in Kent, Ohio recently wrote to Mike O’Brien  regarding our Men’s Baseball team’s recent visit  “the manor in which your team had conducted itself here at the hotel is worthy of recognition”  nice job Coach Cory Mee.

Regards, Larry.