Dr. Reed's - Points of Pride
2004 – 2008
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
- Achieved University status;
- Launched first-ever master’s degree program which has been accredited by SACS. The first master’s degrees were awarded at 2008 Spring Commencement;
- Created accelerated Business Administration degree program;
- Expanded online distance learning courses from 12 to 449 in less than three years;
- Ranked by US News & World Report’s 2009 America’s Best Colleges edition as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the south and one of the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities;
- Awarded a $223,000 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to purchase equipment for the University’s Robotics and Embedded Systems Research Laboratory;
- Named to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Environment Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) consortium;
- Received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration for the School of Business Hospitality Management Program.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
- Increased endowment from $25 million in 2004 to $44 million in 2007;
- Strengthened internal controls, improved overall cash flow, and increased operating budget;
- Eliminated 2004 deficit of $200,000 at the Performing Arts Center;
- Instituted new accountability standards for Florida Classic;
- Increased alumni giving by 32%, exceeding goal of $525,000 for FY2006.
STUDENT RECRUITING AND RETENTION
- Achieved record-breaking enrollment: 3,633 students in 2008 up from 2,800 in 2004;
- Graduated largest class in school’s history at 2008 Spring Commencement;
- Created Freshman and Sophomore College programs to improve student retention and graduation rates.
CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS
- Constructed L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing building, which opened in January 2008 featuring technology-equipped classrooms and skills labs, expanded space to accommodate increasing enrollment and the Odessa Chambliss Wellness Center, a nurse-managed community health center.
- Constructed the Center for Civic Engagement which includes the President’s banquet room, graduate seminar room, Wildcat Center student lounge and fitness center.
- Opened the Alexis Pugh and Robert Zimmerman Scholarship Houses – new student residences that provide values-based living and learning to a select group of students.
- Provided the National Alumni Association with a University-owned house for association business;
- Raised over $4.63 million for planned Athletic Training Center facility.
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
- Upgraded network infrastructure and expanded wireless network;
- Strengthened campus technology security.
