Dear Alumni and Friends,

I am honored to join the University of Maryland family as the new vice president for university relations. With our outstanding students, renowned faculty and dedicated staff, Maryland is rising in stature as one of the world's finest public research universities.

Just in the past year, hundreds of our students became social entrepreneurs through the first Do Good Challenge, co-sponsored by actor Kevin Bacon’s nonprofit, SixDegrees.org. Engineering students broke the world record for human-powered helicopter flight, with Gamera II, a vehicle they designed, built and flew. The university rose to No. 17 on U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of the nation’s top public research institutions. And a team of students and faculty won the U.S. Solar Decathlon with "WaterShed," an innovative house they designed and built to capture and maximize the potential of sunlight and rainfall.

Maryland has also committed to making innovation and entrepreneurship a signature feature of the university, nurturing the great ideas of our students and faculty into reality and stimulating the creation of new businesses. In addition, through scholarship and a research enterprise that exceeds $500 million annually, we are examining and providing solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues. Our performing and fine arts programs are inspiring the next generation of artists as the university continues to serve as a cultural epicenter for the region.

Much of this would not be possible without Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland, with its ambitious goal of $1 billion. As of Aug. 1, 2012, more than 126,000 alumni and friends have contributed over $975 million in support of the campaign’s priorities: student scholarships and support for excellent faculty, teaching and research programs, and facilities and our arts, academic and athletics environments.

I thank you for your contributions to our students and faculty and for your ongoing support as the University of Maryland continues to make an impact in our communities, in our state, in our country and in our world. I look forward to successfully closing out this campaign with your help and anticipate the great progress we will make together in the future.

Peter Weiler
Vice President for University Relations