Though University President-elect Father John Jenkins did not outline a specific plan for when he takes over as president July 1, 2005, he reiterated several times his commitment to the recently approved strategic plan and his desire to see its successful completion."We do have a strategic plan here, a very ambitious one," Jenkins said. "I intend to move forward even more as a research university, as an undergraduate institution and as a premier Catholic university."The plan, "Notre Dame 2010: Fulfilling the Promise," calls for the reaffirmation of great teaching, an emphasis on research and graduate education and the promotion of Catholic intellectual life.Jenkins will spend the next academic year working closely with University President Father Edward Malloy to learn more about the dynamics of the job and how to move the University forward with respect to this strategic plan.Malloy, who as an administrator has played a role in the University's past three strategic plans, said this plan is a continuation of the previous two.Citing the strengths of the undergraduate and graduate student body, the faculty and Notre Dame's resources, Malloy added that Notre Dame's future is bright and that the objectives outlined in this plan, while realistic but challenging, will be realized. "I will look back over this period as a chance for us to build on the outstanding tradition [where we can] make our mark as a research institution and a place where our professors and graduate programs are aspiring to be top notch," Malloy said.Though Malloy will no longer be leading the efforts for the completion of the plan and directing Notre Dame's future after June 2005, he said he had great confidence in his successor Jenkins. To guide Notre Dame into the future and to see this plan realized, Jenkins will be relying heavily on his provost, Nathan Hatch, and executive vice president, John Affleck-Graves.Malloy said that historically these top three officers have collaborated on nearly all issues involving the direction of the University."You can take for granted that those three officers will be in each others' company constantly and all the fundamental things will have to at least go through them," Malloy said.A significant portion of this plan addresses academic issues, and its success will be greatly impacted by the new officers as both Jenkins and Affleck-Graves previously served in Hatch's office as vice presidents and associate provosts. Coupled with the objectives outlined in this strategic plan is the funding needed to accomplish it. Affleck-Graves, who is a finance professor and holds a Ph.D in finance, will be directing the capital campaigns and will be assisted by chief investment officer Scott Malpass and vice president of finance John Sejdani, whose leadership he praised.This strategic plan also emphasizes Notre Dame's commitment to its Catholic identity. Though Affleck-Graves is a Catholic layperson and Hatch is a member of the Christian Reformed Church, Jenkins did not see this as an impediment to Notre Dame's progress or towards the University's relationship with the Congregation."I think the wonderful thing about Notre Dame is that you have priests and lay people working together on a common issue," Jenkins said. "I don't see a problem."Affleck-Graves reiterated Jenkins' commitment to Malloy's vision for the future of Notre Dame, specifically with regards to teaching and research."Monk has been a wonderful example, saying our priority is to be a great Catholic university," Affleck-Graves said. "We buy into every part of that."
