Letter from the University President

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Alumni and Friends:

On behalf of Cameron University, thank you for your support of our students and our institution this year. Whether you are an alumnus, employee, friend or community leader, we appreciate your support and your gifts. Together, we increased student opportunities through outstanding learning experiences at an exceptional value. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March certainly brought the 2019-2020 academic year to an unusual conclusion. Over a matter of days in March, hundreds of physical classroom experiences were converted to virtual classrooms to allow our students to continue to have the opportunity to learn. I cannot thank our instructional staff enough for their commitment and flexibility during that time. I am also proud of the hundreds of CU students who were able to successfully complete their degrees during such adversity. We hosted a virtual celebration of our graduates on May 1 and our formal Commencement for the Class of 2020 was held on October 10.

Enhancing the student learning experience with highly qualified and well supported faculty and staff and modern facilities is in the forefront of our efforts at Cameron. Cameron University is the least expensive university in Oklahoma but meeting our goal of affordability for all students in southwest Oklahoma requires our continued efforts and support. Your gifts support the increasing numbers of scholarships for students so they can take better advantage of learning opportunities. Your gifts do more than create affordability. The Endowed Faculty program allows us to hire, retain, and provide professional development opportunities for the wonderful educators who make the Cameron experience special. Other gifts support the creation and renovation of effective learning and activity spaces. Recent examples include another $1.25 million award to renovate the Library to add to the growing McMahon Foundation legacy at Cameron. The renovation will include additional collaboration spaces for students, increased technology, and construction of an atrium with a bistro and more study space. Construction is slated to begin during the 2020-2021 academic year. Through funds from the Jack Bryan Endowed Lectureship in Art, Cameron opened the Cameron University Art Teaching Gallery that provides a space for students to manage and present art work. A prior gift from the Gaskins Family is funding updated music practice spaces in Haggar Hall.

We strive to be effective stewards of your gifts and the other resources provided to Cameron University or the Cameron University Foundation. I hope you will find evidence of our stewardship in the reports that follow. Thank you for providing the means to assure Cameron’s continuing commitment to the educational, cultural, and economic advancement of the communities we serve.

Sincerely,

John M. McArthur, Ph.D. President