Dialogue with Larry Burns

Another active week has started at our University of Toledo. These are truly exciting times with so many opportunities to get involved and so many different activities to participate in… there literally is something for everybody.

I had the opportunity to go to the Rocket football game Saturday in Cleveland. What a spectacular Saturday afternoon for us to highlight many aspects of our University. I know that the football game did not turn out like we had hoped, but I considered it a tremendous overall success.

First, we had the opportunity to showcase many of our programs and initiatives at the University before, during, and after the game. The two large video boards were constantly showcasing our University, our people and our programs.

Secondly, the Rocket Marching Band was fabulous and there was clearly a spirit of mutual respect between the  Marching Rockets and the Ohio State band. Thirdly, the television exposure also gave us an opportunity to let the state, the  region, and  the country know that the University of  Toledo has arrived and they will be hearing more from us in the future. I congratulate Mike O’Brien for his vision in putting this game together and allowing us to be once again on the big stage.

Check out the current issue of the UT News… there is a complete listing of the LGBT history month events that will start in the very near future. Hats off to Anthony Kapp and his associates for getting this so well-organized and offering so many different and interesting programs.

I hope many of you take the opportunity to see and hear Mr. Jon Meacham during his visit on Thursday, September 24 for a free program beginning at 7:30 PM in the Student Union on the main campus,  just another example of why the University of Toledo offers the most broad array of activities of any place in Northwest Ohio.

And lastly, I hope you take the opportunity to listen to the September edition of Environmentally Sound on WJR 760.  We have a variety of guests including UT faculty members and corporate leaders from around the region. At seven o’clock this Tuesday evening. Click below for a preview.

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One more quick item…. I have four tickets to the “Ethel Merman Broadway” show at the fabulous GEM Theatre in Detroit for this Saturday afternoon at 2 PM . The GEM is a small and intimate theater that was actually relocated in order to build Ford Field.  I would be delighted to provide them to the first person who responds to me (in the comments or via e-mail) with why they would enjoy seeing this presentation of Ethel Merman’s career.

Enjoy the week regards, Larry.

Well, it certainly was an active weekend of college football.  Led by our very own Rocket victory on Friday night against the Big 12 opponent the Colorado Buffaloes.  It was a tremendous evening with the inaugural “walk to the stadium” of our Rocket players and coaches.  The game was extremely exciting with our Rockets running and passing throughout the evening.  But I must say my favorite part was the players salute to the student body at the end of the game.

What a nice new tradition that Tim Beckman and his coaches have started.  As I have said earlier in Journal entries, Tim Beckman will lead Rocket football into a new era that we will all be proud of and happy to be participants.

Speaking of a new era we are now launching our latest marketing campaign with the theme “MORE”.

If you recall, back when our merger occurred in 2006 one of the constant themes about the positive impact of the merger is that the University of Toledo would now have more opportunities for students, faculty, staff and our entire community.  That’s MORE opportunities in the sciences, medicine, law, business, health care and many MORE.

After a great deal of focus group activity, both formal and informal, with many of our audiences, I believe this campaign will differentiate us from many of our peer institutions in the state, the region and country.

Take a look at our theme and our television commercial, listen to one of our radio ads and let me know what you think.

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Your thoughts are important and I look forward to hearing from you.  Here’s to MORE victories on the gridiron, MORE students in our classrooms and MORE fun for all of us as we enjoy being part of our University of Toledo.

Enjoy the week…regards, Larry.

Summer is officially over and Fall will be arriving shortly. I recently returned from Northern Michigan and have to say that it is truly one of the prettiest parts of our country. The freshwater fish, perch is clearly my favorite, the hundreds of acres of evergreens, and now this area is one of the finest golf retreats anywhere. It’s another great reason to live in Toledo because you’re only a few short hours away from this Great Lake’s Wonderland.

As Summer ends and Fall arrives it’s also time for college football. This time is the highlight of the year for most of my friends as they follow their favorite teams. Although the Rockets fell short last Saturday I am confident that this Friday night’s game will be a victory. Can’t wait to welcome the Rockets and our new coaching staff led by coach Tim Beckman. This Friday night’s game which will be shown nationally on ESPN is a wonderful showcase opportunity for our university, our community and most of all our students.

Speaking of Rocket Football this Friday is another of the newly established “Rocket Friday’s”. All are encouraged to wear your Rocket colors to work as well as the game. I know many of you were wondering how this ties into the “Bow Tie Friday’s” established last year, not to worry… “Bow Tie Friday’s” and “Rocket Friday’s” are connected in a very nice way. I’ll certainly will be sporting my Rocket colors Friday.

I also want to take this opportunity to say how very proud I am to be part of our enrollment team at the University of Toledo. This semester brings another record number of freshmen to our university and another semester of increased enrollment. As Dr. Jacobs reported last Friday enrollment drives many financial factors at our university. Not only are the student numbers important but also the academic preparedness of these entering freshmen continues to be impressive. I want to personally salute Kevin Kucera and his team led by Billy Pierce, Cathi Kwapich, Mark Schroeder and Chris Henderson as they guide the enrollment professionals in developing strategies to attract students from Ohio, Michigan and beyond to our university. We are indeed a university that is growing and moving forward in designing our place on a national scale.

Have a great week and “I’ll see you at the game”. Go Rockets! Regards, Larry.