The President's Post
    Welcome back for another semester! I hope that you enjoyed the holiday break, spent
quality time with your family and friends, and received the gifts you requested from Santa. Vacations are essential for all of us, but Shereé and I were ready to have you back on campus. The campus is now vital once again and back to life. Congratulations also to all of you students who made the Fall 2001 Honor Roll and Dean’s List. That is an impressive group of names, and I am extremely proud of you. You set a positive example and academic standard.

   While most of you were gone, we celebrated a unique event at Ozarks. On Friday, Jan. 11, a “topping out” party (see photo below) was held for Walker Hall. This was my first one, so it was extra special and exciting for me. The “topping out” occurs when the final beam signed by all of us, is lifted into place signifying the completion of the skeletal phase of a building’s construction. The ceremony includes affixing a cedar tree to the beam, a ritual emanating from Scaninavian tradition.

   Progress on Walker Hall will be fun to watch throughout the semester, and we are on schedule for its completion in the fall. I have said many times that students are our primary focus at Ozarks. Walker Hall is another example of our commitment to that pledge. The building is going to be awesome.

Dr. Rick Niece
President

Public Relations Office,
Mabee Administration Building,
Unversity of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR 72830.
Phone: (479)-979-1420