I would like to thank all members of the Rensselaer community for your efforts to support Rensselaer this year. As you know, we entered into some truly uncharted territory from an enrollment perspective. Over 10,100 students from around the world chose to apply to RPI for the fall of 2007 (and in the words of our tour guides, we think 9,999 of them wanted to visit campus!) These high school students are extremely accomplished, from both an academic and an extra-curricular standpoint. The Class of 2011 will be a great addition to you—an already involved, hard-working, and stimulating student body.

In our history, we have never seen as many visitors to campus (prospective students and parents) as we have this year. RPI is full of excitement and change right now, from great new programs and majors (Gaming Simulation Arts and Sciences) and outstanding new facilities (Biotech building, CCNI, and soon EMPAC), to new student clubs and organizations. Thanks to all of our amazing students, faculty, and staff, that excitement has been shown to the thousands of folks who have come to our campus looking to see if RPI is the right place for them.

The Enrollment team has received an absolutely gratifying amount of support from many members of the Rensselaer community, including our student organizations and clubs, athletic teams, academic schools and departments, faculty, and staff. You are what makes RPI so special, and we thank you for working so hard to make every one of our visitors feels at home here.

Beginning in early March, and ending with our largest Accepted Student Celebration in history last Saturday, April 14, we have seen thousands of accepted students come through our doors, and you have all jumped in to help out in every way possible to make their visits memorable ones. You’ve done it all—from hosting students overnight, to taking students to lunch or class, helping lost visitors (the ones trying to figure out just what JEC, DCC, and CII mean), representing your club at the Student Activity Fair at the Accepted Student Celebration, (over 60 student clubs greeted our 3000+ visitors this past Saturday), meeting with students to discuss academic programs, participating on student/faculty panels, or moving many chairs and tables within a 45-minute period—so that our visitors could enjoy a wonderful welcome to campus and a delicious lunch as well.

We are very thankful for all of your efforts this year. Rensselaer is a very special place—and we saw that firsthand each and every day with everything you did to help us. When the Class of 2011 arrives on campus this fall, know that it is because of all of you that they are here. Enjoy the rest of the semester, good luck with finals, and have a great summer!

James G. Nondorf