<p>This was in my local paper this morning and has an interesting relevance to this discussion:</p>
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For UD, a bold plan to achieve first rank
<p>NEWARK – Standing before more than 1,000 alumni and friends Saturday, University of Delaware President Patrick Harker announced a bold new agenda for the state’s largest public university, the first step in a plan designed to stake a claim as one of the nation’s best colleges.</p>
<p>Few comments irk Harker more than hearing that UD is a “hidden gem” or a “best-kept secret.” His proposals are designed to raise the school’s image in the minds of students, parents, legislators, donors and businesses.</p>
<p>His vision includes construction of top-notch research and academic facilities; more cutting-edge research; a larger and more vibrant population of graduate and professional students; innovative financial aid programs to help qualified Delawareans more easily pay for their education and a campus that embraces “green” technology in thought and practice.</p>
<p>In achieving these goals, the university will follow paths taken by schools with reputations to which they aspire – including the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan – and it will become more aggressive about marketing the school’s strengths. A year from now, Harker intends to kick off a major fundraising campaign.
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<p>President Harker came to UD last summer from UPenn, where he was Dean of the Wharton School. Just thought it interesting the two specific examples were UVa and Michigan.</p>