President Fallon outlines goals, directives for EMU's future

Bolstering academic programs, creating new sources of revenue, improving campus buildings and boosting school pride through the athletics program are but a few of the dozen goals Eastern Michigan University President John Fallon outlined in a "periodic update" to campus nearly a month ago.

TAKING IT ALL IN: Eastern Michigan University President John Fallon listens intently at a recent meeting of the General Education Reform Committee, where he learned more about the new general education program that will begin in fall 2007. Fallon recently outlined a dozen goals and a future direction he wishes to pursue for the University.

Fallon recently described, in more detail, his goals, philosophies and hopes for EMU for this coming school year and the long term.

Determined and focused, Fallon readily admits that he takes the approach of an athlete when tackling academic challenges before him.

"I have that mentality in life. What we do here is in competition with somebody and on some level," said Fallon, who became EMU's 21st president July 18. "I believe in the marrow in my bones that competition makes you better. The advantage of competition is you can take your measure. You can assess and validate where you are — with enrollment, funding, percentage of faculty with terminal degrees. We compete in all of these areas. Institutions have to be competitive. I welcome that and embrace that."

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