The 2006-2007 academic year has been an exciting one on many fronts. Our unwavering commitment to academic excellence -- a continuing and central priority of the College's new strategic plan -- prompted a number of initiatives that expanded the breadth and depth of our students' active learning. In the next issue of Providence magazine -- which will be mailed to you in early fall -- you will read about a number of creative engaged learning experiences that our students have pursued. These include a wide spectrum of opportunities for PC students in arts and science disciplines. In the interim, I want to tell you about some of the other milestones we have achieved this year.

In May -- after 17 months of dedicated work and input from the entire College community -- the Core Curriculum Review Committee submitted its proposal to revitalize the College's Core Curriculum through an integrated core consisting of three interdependent components. The Foundational Component affirms the primacy of a renewed two-year Development of Western Civilization as the heart of the Core Curriculum. Along with requirements in theology, philosophy, natural science, social science, and fine arts, the foundational courses aim at introducing students to the breadth of liberal knowledge with a particular emphasis on those areas of knowledge distinctive to the College's mission.

The Learning Proficiencies Component requires students to improve their skills and habits of mind in areas critical to liberal learning while offering flexible options. These areas of knowledge include quantitative reasoning, intensive writing, oral communication, civic understanding, cross-cultural understanding, and foreign language engagement.

The Integrative Component offers students the tools they need to reflect critically on their own liberal education goals, including how to inter-connect courses taken in the core, their majors, and electives, as well as their co-curricular experiences, and to encourage faculty to connect differing areas of knowledge in their design of courses.

Guided by a clear set of mission-related goals -- a widely acknowledged "best practice" for all institutions of higher education -- a renewed Core Curriculum will encourage both the integration of curricular and co-curricular learning and provide students with mechanisms that help them integrate what they learn. Discussion on the proposal will continue in the fall.

The College's Division of Business Administration has been reorganized into a School of Business led by a dean; a national search for this individual is underway. Our accreditation plan has been approved by the Pre-Accreditation Committee of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International and continues to move forward. These changes will strengthen the business program, advance our competitive position with peer institutions, and give our students the unique opportunity to explore and apply Catholic and Dominican values to business education and practice.

The new Office of International Studies was created to strengthen and expand services both to our students studying abroad and our international students. The College's Women's Studies program -- offered as a minor for 14 years -- is now available as an academic major. As with the introduction of the Global Studies major several years ago, these new initiatives enable the College to broaden and deepen our students' understanding of the diverse, complex, and interdependent world in which we live.

The College's first Interdisciplinary Faculty Seminar brought together eight faculty members from various disciplines to explore the topic of "Being Human." Participating faculty described the semester-long professional development experience as "broadening, enlightening, and highly stimulating." Their teaching and research -- and ultimately their students -- undoubtedly will benefit from this collaborative experience. This form of faculty development, which will continue next semester, affirms the interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that is so vital to our curriculum.
 
Throughout the year, we also have been improving campus facilities through important renovation projects in several science and computer labs, along with enhancements to the technology available in our library. In addition, the former Aquinas Chapel was renovated and dedicated as the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies and St. Catherine of Siena Hall was refurbished as the new home for the departments of philosophy and theology.

We also continue to watch with great anticipation the completion of the Concannon Fitness Center. Construction is continuing exactly on schedule. It has been exciting to watch the drawings we first saw on paper take shape as steel beams and glass walls rise in that corner of the campus. The center will be available to our student-athletes returning in August and open to the entire campus community when classes resume.

Our campus-wide discussion about the impact of alcohol abuse on student life and learning has yielded a series of recommendations that will be implemented as we begin the 2007-08 academic year. I will advise you of these new initiatives in my next letter.

Finally, we launched an all-new Virtual Tour on the Providence College Web site. This self-guided presentation provides an in-depth look at the people, places, and programs that make Providence College a transforming living and learning environment. I encourage you to take the tour (http://www.providence.edu/About+PC/Virtual+Tour+Welcome) and share this link with family members and friends who may be interested in learning more about Providence College.

With profound gratitude to God for a successful year, I pray to God that you, your PC student, and your family have a relaxing summer. I look forward to writing to you again as the next academic year begins.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.