Northwestern University President Henry Bienen delivered his State of the University Address Thursday morning at the McCormick Tribune Center. Here’s a quick summary of his major points. For a complete transcript of his speech, click here.
- The Kellogg School of Management will offer two undergraduate degrees, starting in 2008. Students can receive degrees in financial economics and managerial analytics.
- Bienen also spoke about the changes happening at the Medill School of Journalism. The entire faculty has been working on the new curriculum, and spent 20 hours a week last spring in intensive courses.
- NU has talked to several educational leaders overseas about possible new programs abroad.
- Construction on a new Molecular Therapeutics and Diagnostics building begins this spring. The school hopes the structure will be complete by fall 2009. Annie May Swift Hall’s renovation begins this spring and should be finished sometime next year. Work on converting the northeast recreation field into a turf field will also begin soon.
- President Bienen talked about NU’s admissions, specifically how the school received a record number of applicants for the Class of 2011.
- He also congratulated many members of the university’s faculty and student body in receiving various honors.
- Bienen said the school is “in excellent financial health.” NU has the 12th largest endowment in the country, up from 16th back in 1996.