The planning for Suffolk University’s Centennial Celebration has involved alumni, students, faculty, administrators and staff. Their views were collected through interviews, focus groups and online surveys.
Using the information garnered, the Centennial Celebration Committee has prepared this blueprint for the Celebration.
Goals and Objectives
The following are top priorities for the Centennial year:
• Create general awareness of Suffolk University
• Foster pride in Suffolk
• Celebrate Suffolk’s accomplishments
• Create national presence
• Create awareness of Suffolk’s specific offerings and programs
• Provide an opportunity to refocus attention on Suffolk’s mission
• Enhance Suffolk’s fund-raising capabilities.
Centennial Success Benchmarks
The Centennial will be a success if ...
• There is inclusive involvement and representation from many
constituencies
• Suffolk University emerges as a major institution
• Fund-raising goals are met
• There are a variety of memorable events and an air of excitement
• There is good planning, and planners are responsive to input
• There is overall community awareness of Suffolk’s Centennial
• There is public relations buzz and higher visibility for Suffolk.
Reasons to be proud of Suffolk
Participants in the Blueprint Project most commonly indicated the following as reasons they are proud of the University:
• Location
• Faculty/supportive environment
• Diversity/international
• Community/individual attention
• Quality.
Focus group and survey participants had much to say about Suffolk. Here is a sampling of their remarks.
“With the Centennial Celebration, Suffolk has an opportunity to create awareness and tell our story.”
“The Centennial Celebration should be a remarkable University-wide effort that reaches thousands and thousands of people on campus, in the community, outside the region, and beyond.”
The Centennial “will allow us to communicate with the outside world what we as insiders already know: that Suffolk offers the opportunity for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.”
“Studying at Suffolk among a community of students and faculty all with a common love of education ... the community feel and personal relationships make me most proud.”
“When I think about Suffolk I remember the friendly environment. Whether it’s lasting relationships made with friends and faculty or connections made through the alumni, Suffolk always had its arms wide open, open for everyone to succeed.”
“As a law student, the reputation of law school alumni in the Boston legal community is a great source of pride.”
“A University that is clearly connected to the political, business/economic, and cultural pulse of the city.”
“I think that Suffolk is truly a community. Many universities and colleges are comprised of people who come and go, but Suffolk makes people feel like they belong. It makes it hard to leave. Suffolk is a home away from home.”
“The quality faculty and the scope of the programs offered are equivalent to those found at larger schools.“
“As a law student, some of the very best professors I’ve had actually matriculated at Suffolk University Law School. Beyond that, law professors who engage students in the discussion, pick excellent textbooks, and provide drills in class and exercises out of class and utilize technological Web sites to assure students’ mastery of the law are certainly one of the University’s greatest assets.”
