Chris Kimball
Although many people think that university campuses become ghost towns soon after commencement, we never really do have the "lazy days of summer" at CLU. Instead, the campus is bustling with hundreds of summer school undergraduate and graduate students, young campers and eager learners as well as numerous cultural events and a series of construction projects.
We have hardly had a break since the Honors Day and Commencement festivities and the May Board of Regents meeting where we set the course for the new fiscal year that began on June 1.
There is so much activity on campus each day — from young athletes competing on the fields to thespians rehearsing on the outdoor stage to future scientists conducting research in our labs. We recently selected 12 Swenson Summer Science interns who will conduct research projects focusing on various topics in the real world of science and technology. And many of our students are working with faculty on research in disciplines across the board.
Young people from all over the world will be participating in academic camps, including students from throughout the country who take part in The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and our two federally-funded Upward Bound programs. CLU serves as the base for several language programs where students from Asia and Europe come to perfect their English skills. The popular iD Tech camp provides a site for future computer scientists to learn about the latest in technology. For those who prefer athletics, CLU provides camps for every sport — from cheerleading, dance and ultimate Frisbee to basketball, baseball and water polo.
The 12th Annual Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival begins in June with yet another fun-filled season of entertaining thousands of theatergoers in Kingsmen Park. For more information about the weekend productions of "As You Like It" and "Henry IV," please visit www.kingsmenshakespeare.org.
Summer is a perfect time for campus improvements like the planned enhancements for our CLU Bookstore and several other well-trafficked areas on campus. We will begin work on six new tennis courts on the north side of Olsen Road which will allow us to move forward with the construction of the Swenson Center for Academic Excellence on Faculty Drive. Construction is also slated to begin on Trinity Hall, a 220-bed residence hall which will open in fall 2009 in time for the start of our 50th anniversary celebrations.
Lastly, we are delighted to have the U.S. Olympic men's water polo team practicing at Samuelson Aquatics Center each day before their departure to compete in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. We'll all be tuned into the August games to see the athletes we have come to know over the past few months.
Exciting events and programs continue throughout the summer, so I invite you to browse our Web site to view the many activities that are offered for all to enjoy. May you and your family have a wonderful and safe summer.
— Chris Kimball
