It is my honor to welcome all new and returning students back to campus for one of the most exciting years in Ithaca College history. This is a daring assumption, but I make it with confidence.

A rousing Homecoming celebration next month will unify our Bomber pride and signify the start of a school year in which students play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the college.

In the upcoming months, students and administrators will welcome notable alumni and donors to campus for a press conference. This press conference will kick-start the Capital Campaign, which will be the most far-reaching fundraising campaign in the college’s 112-year history.

At the forefront of the Capital Campaign is Robert Iger, ’73 and CEO of the Walt Disney Corporation. Iger is one of many alumni who will visit the campus to commit their support to the college’s future and share their knowledge during master classes for students, faculty and members of the community.

It’s important that we students rally around the Capital Campaign by contributing our support. The money it raises will benefit the development of the new business school, a Gateway building to house admissions, the new Athletic and Events Center, and scholarships and academic resources. These improved facilities will expand opportunities for members of the community, while new scholarships will give students more time to devote to their education and studies.

As the Capital Campaign continues throughout the year, the Student Government Association will launch its own campaign, “ICare,” to focus on three goals for the student body: having pride in Ithaca College, saving money and protecting the environment.

As college students, we should make responsible decisions, help control the cost of attending our school and promote the reputation of the college. The new student government campaign is still in its initial planning stages, but students should look forward to ICare as a new revolution in how we live our lives and how we show our support for an institution we love.

The two new campaigns will be launched in the first few months of the school year, and I am confident that as the year continues, students will support them, and in turn continue to energize the campus and help it shine in the national spotlight.

In addition to the campaigns, this school year is also an important time to renew our link with the community. Students can do this by volunteering community service hours. As the campus expands, we must take into account how it will affect the lives of our neighbors. By meeting with community members to discuss their needs and concerns, we will open the door for more cooperative relations in the future. The city of Ithaca and Ithaca College have much to offer each other, and we must work together to establish new bonds that will last for future generations of students.

I have faith in the students of this college because I know from experience they are ready to express their opinions and ready to be heard. Last spring, we had a record turnout for SGA elections. In fact, the voting rate in the election was greater than the voting rate in the 2004 presidential election.

Because of the broad support we attained, SGA is empowered to serve students who are willing to express their desires. We are dedicated to using all available resources to communicate with students and serve them as best we can. We will represent ideas and concerns on campus and express the voices of those students in leadership positions. In order to do this, we will rely on a new student government Web site (ithaca.edu/sga) and podcast to keep students informed and provide a forum to have their voices heard.

I hope you are all as excited for this year as I am. Ithaca College is ready to be taken to the next level, so let’s take it a step further. As I like to say: Game on.