University Council gets ‘Year of Gratitude’ recap from deans, president

Thanksgiving came early during UND’s biannual University Council on Thursday.

For President Andy Armacost’s State of the University Address, which was held last Thursday or a week before the national holiday, the Council meeting was a chance for him to celebrate what he’s been calling “the Year of Gratitude.”

His speech followed annual updates from several UND Colleges and Schools taking part in the Fall 2022 meeting, all of which carried similar tidings of thankfulness and gratitude.

“It’s important for us to focus in our own, individual way about how we can express that sense of gratitude to one another and share it with our students and colleagues,” Armacost said.

“I have such gratitude for all the vice presidents and members of the executive council who do so much for this University, as well as all of the deans, directors and people who have come together in this post-COVID world and done amazing things across the campus,” he continued.

Armacost used the spotlight of the State of the University Address to deliver highlights and updates from his executive council, the group of vice presidents and division leaders who execute the president’s vision on a day-to-day basis.

The deans who spoke before him expressed their own sources of gratitude, leading the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, College of Education & Human Development and College of Arts & Sciences, respectively.

This fall’s meeting also featured Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs Lynette Krenelka and Jim Mochuruk providing a recap of the work behind UND’s newest strategic plan, now known as UND LEADS. The launch date for the 2023-2028 plan is Jan. 20, they said.

The full, 90-minute-plus University Council is available to watch on UND’s YouTube channel.

And the full story is available at UND Today.