Dialogue with Larry Burns

The University’s participation in the recent Red, White, Kaboom weekend celebration was an opportunity to engage students, recruit future students and also reach out to the displaced and unemployed of our community. Throughout the weekend many of our undergraduate students spoke on stage to the crowd regarding The University of Toledo which was complemented by our advertisements shown on the several big screens. Many of our colleagues throughout the University volunteered their time to distribute information regarding enrollment opportunities at UT, specifically for the adult and displaced individual. I believe that our University plays a role in helping people transition from one job to a new career through higher education. In partnership with The Toledo Blade and other corporate citizens, this was an example of how our University is working with others to not only improve the human condition, but also to improve our local economy for the future.

Currently there is very little advertising going on regarding the University’s enrollment process. Normally these campaigns begin in late summer and continue into the latter part of the calendar year targeting juniors and seniors in high school. Our marketing and advertising campaigns in conjunction with other strategic programs have been enormously successful since 2006. Our Direct from High School enrollment has increased from approximately 3,100 students to an anticipated 4,100 students this fall. These numbers are a combination of large increases from the State of Michigan, the cities of Cleveland and Columbus, and northwest Ohio. Advertising has played an important role in presenting our University to many audiences that in the past have not been aware of our programs, our excellent faculty and our wonderful campus.

We are constantly looking at ways to be efficient as well as to continue the strong momentum we currently have in the State of Ohio and beyond. In these very difficult economic times, we look at each and every dollar we spend and anticipate the return on our investment. To date, I am extremely pleased with our results.

Regards,
Larry

Spent last weekend in Northern Michigan. What a beautiful place.  I wore my UT logo stuff during my daily run on Little Traverse Bay…very proud, since most people up there are UM fans!

Check out these photos of a couple of my friends at The British Open…both have strong UT ties as well. Rockets all over the world! Click image for larger version.

I hope you can listen to the next Environmentally Sound radio show next Tuesday at 7:00pm on AM-760 WJR. My guests will include Rep. Marcy Kaptur.

Look for Rocket Friday’s starting September 11th…also we are planning the first annual Rocket Launch on August 23rd with Coach Tim Beckman…more details to follow.

Please take a few minutes and read my friend Esther Fabian’s journal…she is a wonderful asset to UTMC and an even better person.
Enjoy the day! Regards, Larry.

What a wonderful weekend… great weather and a lot of cool activities around town.

Joyce Cooling plays guitar at the African American Festival last weekend

The African American Festival was held at our Scott Park campus for the second year in row and I rate it a tremendous success. This is a great partnership with UT, our Scott Park neighbors, our generous sponsors, the Toledo Police and the community in general.  Special thanks to Suzette Cowell, Chris Buck, John Adams, Tobin Klinger, Doni Miller, Esther Fabian, Julie Rightnower and our music guru Alexander Zonjic!  Also,  thanks so much to Dr. Pat Hogue and medical student Amber Bondurant for their time and efforts.  Kudos to all that participated.

I hope you all watch the July version of “Plugged-In” at 8:00 pm on WGTE this Wednesday, July 15. Past episodes are available to view on YouTube in HD.

We’re getting ready for our second episode of our new monthly radio show on WJR known as “Environmentally Sound”. You can now listen to the first show online. The first segment of the first episode is below, and the rest of the show can be heard here.

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Environmentally Sound: first segment

Mark your radio dials for Tuesday, July 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on 760 AM…the “voice of the Great Lakes”.

I’m also very excited about a program being developed with the Toledo Blade that will provide each and every student an online version of The Blade every day. There will also be some exciting promotions and activities regarding this special edition of the paper. Student blogger Krystal Weaver wrote about it earlier today.

Congratulations to Esther Fabian (UTMC Marketing) and Kathleen Walsh (CCI)  for their efforts for the hospital website. The site recently won an Aster Award.

I always enjoy meeting  students around town in different places like restaurants, golf courses and supermarkets. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a student from Columbus Ohio named Emily who absolutely loves UT. Thanks Emily and keep up the great work.

We had our first meeting to talk about the program involving  the Boy Scouts of America and Eagle Scout badges. A nice turnout of former scouts and Eagle Scout recipients. I’ll  keep you posted on our initiatives.

Enjoy the week.  Regards,  Larry.

What a great time of the year…and also a wonderful opportunity to get involved in the community.
I was wondering if you would be willing to help out in one of the volunteer opportunites over the next few weeks?
This week we are looking for volunteers to help out with our Jamie Farr booth at the annual LPGA Tournament. This involves distributing UT materials to fans in the tent area at the entrance…free entry to the Tournament and food too,
The Toledo Red, White and Kaboom event downtown on July 3 and 4. We are looking for folks to help out with UT promotions anytime from Noon to 9pm…this is a real community party, and
The African American Festival taking place on July 11 and 12 on our very own Scott Park Campus…wonderful entertainment at this event!
Thanks for considering…just respond on the Journal and I will hook you up or email me or Cathi Kwapich our Director of Admissions Operations. Enjoy the week! Regards, Larry.

Thoughts on this beautiful early summer morning:

A quick update on the recent Boy Scout entry in my journal. I’m in the process of setting up a meeting to discuss our proposed idea involving the Boy Scouts and the University of Toledo. I received over 30 responses and many of these fine folks are willing to help. Once we meet and have more information to share I’ll report back to you. Also, I will be contacting the Girl Scouts as well.

I hope some of you had the opportunity to listen to our new radio show Environmentally Sound on WJR. Please let me know if you have any ideas for future topics and guests.
Watch for a new outreach event in partnership with The Juice radio station. A fashion show for young students filled with fun and exciting activities. The program will feature our Blue and Gold Scholarship program.
It’s not too late to submit a Jefferson Award nomination for June. It’s easy and a great way to honor a friend at UT.
I’m getting really excited for the upcoming African American Festival taking place on the Scott Park Campus on July 11 and 12. The world famous Manhanattans are appearing on Saturday and the internationally acclaimed Alexander Zonjic on Sunday. Very cool stuff.
How about them Tigers! A walk-off last night…could be a real fun summer in Motown.
It’s seersucker weather at last and please don’t forget about Bow-Tie Friday’s. Regards, Larry.

Not really. But the new University of Toledo radio show premiers tonight on WJR. The “Voice of the Great Lakes” will be airing a monthly show called Environmentally Sound. In this premier episode, we will welcome several UT guests and one with a real “MCO” connection.

Environmentally Sound will be a show about sustainability in the broadest sense of the term. We will examine the impact of the environmental issues on the national economy, the latest in alternative energy research, Great Lakes water policy, and more.

The show will air from 7:00 to 8:00 pm tonight on 760 on your AM dial. Also, check out WJR.com for additional features. Tonight’s guests include Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, Dr. Frank Calzonetti, both Dr. Carol Stepien and Dr. Daryl Moorhead from our very own Lake Erie Research Center and Emilia Askari from The Detroit Free Press. Ms. Askari is the daughter of the nationally known Askari’s from our Health Science Campus.

If you can’t get WJR on your radio, you can also listen live, online tonight at 7:00 pm.

I hope you can listen in…let me know what you think.

As always, regards, Larry.

Wow!   The response to my Journal post last week was amazing.  I have received over 30 responses regarding the new program involving the Boy Scouts and UT.  I was gone a good part of last week on enrollment business so I will be responding to each and every comment this week. Thanks to all of you who are willing to assist in this new program and it really shows how our MyUT page can be a “factor” at our University. Onward and upward! Regards, Larry.

As part of our ongoing efforts to engage with our community we are considering a unique and innovative program with the Boy Scouts.  Merit badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program and are an integral part of earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  

Boy Scouts may work on merit badges from the time they join a troop until they are 18 years old. The list of merit badges include chemistry, energy, entrepreneurship, geology, medicine, nuclear science, public health, and salesmanship.

  We are considering a program that would make it possible for Scouts to earn UT credit with specific badges earned.  I believe this would be a creative way to have young men begin thinking about a college career at the University of Toledo as they pursue their Eagle Scout status.

 So my question is… are there any Eagle Scout’s here as part of our UT family ( I assume once an Eagle Scout always an Eagle Scout)  that would be willing to assist in developing this program and possibly serving as a mentor to current Scouts?  Please let me know your thoughts and if you’re willing to assist.  As always, thank you and regards.  Larry.

Well , the NCAA Golf Championships are over and I rate them an “A+” and a terrific success for our University! This was a tremendous opportunity to brand UT and I believe we served you all well. Two people in particular lead the branding effort, John Adams and Andy Smith, a job well done by these gentlemen. Kudos to Mike O’Brien, Jamie Mauntler and Kelly Andrews from our Athletic Department as well.

The beginning of June is here and it really does feel like summer. It goes very fast so enjoy each day.

I’m pleased to announce that the university will be hosting a new alternative energy radio show on WJR beginning in June. WJR is a 50,000 Watt station which is heard in over a dozen states. This is a wonderful marketing opportunity for us to continue to lead the way in solar energy and other alternative energy developments.  Look for our faculty and special guests to appear each month.

Congratulations go out to coach Tim Beckman and his staff for accomplishing almost a 3.0 for the semester with the rocket football team. Not only will coach “Beck” put a winning team on the field but he’s already winning in the classroom.
Enjoy the day.  Regards, Larry.

Today, the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships at The Inverness Club begins.  As you know, the University of Toledo is hosting this national event.  At the opening dinner last night our athletic director Mike O’Brien welcomed the 30 participating schools to Toledo.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce our University to the student athletes from around the country, administrators, and their family and friends.  Watch for additional postings this week as I will keep you up-to-date on the happenings at the tournament.

Since we are on a sports theme this week, I hope you take a few minutes and view the interview that I recently had with Michael Sydlowski from Rocket Sports Properties.  Rocket Sports Properties works with our athletic department in providing marketing opportunities for businesses as it relates to rocket athletics.

Welcome to the “official” start of summer, and I hope you have an opportunity to stop by Inverness this week … if not I will do my best to keep you up-to-date.

Regards, Larry.