GREETINGS FROM CHANCELLOR DRAKE

July 1, 2005

Good morning!

Today begins my tenure as the fifth chancellor of the University of California, Irvine. I am honored to be joining you and very excited about the opportunities awaiting us. UCI has achieved greatness faster than any comparable campus in the country, and the future is even brighter.

I am particularly eager to begin working with the outstanding leadership team assembled by Chancellor Cicerone. My friend and colleague Executive Vice Chancellor Michael Gottfredson and I have had the pleasure of working together for the past several years, and I am thrilled at this opportunity to work with him on a daily basis. Our styles and values mesh seamlessly and I look forward to a long and productive partnership.

UCI's well-known and widely appreciated successes have placed it firmly among the ranks of the world's top research universities; our membership in the Association of American Universities by definition puts us among the top 2 percent nationally.

Our challenge for the future is to build upon our strengths and to achieve and contribute at an even higher level. It is clear that we are up to the task, and I am eager to join with you in setting -- and exceeding -- appropriately lofty goals. This will involve completing ongoing work, as well as prioritizing and implementing new programs, such as those described in the December 2004 draft of "A Focus on Excellence: A Strategy for Academic Development at UCI through 2014." Other progress will derive from improving performance of current programs, and creating new opportunities to address the changing needs of our increasingly complex world.

On a personal note, let me thank the hundreds and hundreds of you who have taken the time to convey your words of welcome and support. You have been extremely flattering and gracious. My wife, Brenda, and I deeply appreciate the enthusiastic and warm reception we have received from this wonderful community.

Sincerely,

Michael Drake
Chancellor