Welcome to NAU’s 125th year!
As we look back on a storied history at NAU, I am so pleased to welcome our new and continuing students, as well as our dedicated faculty and staff, as we come together to advance knowledge, broaden perspectives, and shape a brighter future together by adding our individual backgrounds and life experiences to the tapestry of this great university’s legacy.
I know that for our new students in particular, the start of the semester comes amid a whirlwind of new experiences over the past few days. Last week was certainly full of action, with move-in, smiles, laughter, nerves, the embrace of family and friends, the beginning of new friendships, and participation in traditions like the NAU Letters. While you continue to get settled in and oriented (or re-oriented!) to college life, know that we all stand ready to support your success through your studies at NAU and beyond.
Amid polarizing state and national elections, along with complex geopolitical and humanitarian issues unfolding today, I am confident that our Lumberjacks will face every challenge with intellectual curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to respectful civil discourse. By doing so, we will not only elevate our understanding but also our ability to uplift and advocate for meaningful change.
Finally, I want to share my deep appreciation for the contributions of our faculty and staff, who will be instrumental in shaping the journeys and successes of our students. Your commitment to our vision is essential as we seek to power every student to reach their full potential. Thank you!
I look forward to writing the next chapter in NAU’s history together with all of you in the year ahead. To start us off, I hope you will join me and fellow Lumberjacks at this year’s Welcome Back BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the central quad for free food, games, music, and more. See you there!
In partnership,
José Luis Cruz Rivera
President
P.S. From cows in Old Main to robot confrontations on the Pedway, Lumberjack ingenuity has helped us navigate many interesting events over the last 125 years. Enjoy these and other stories in my NAU Eras Tour from Convocation.