Goals, dreams
& diversity
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The late Benjamin E.
Mays, a former president of Morehouse College
and a great American educator, once averred: “The
tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching
your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal
to reach for. It isn’t a calamity to die
with dreams unfilled, but it is a calamity not
to dream. Not failure, but low aim is sin.”
May’s observation has an undeniable potency
and prescience, and is relevant to both individuals
and institutions. It is a pleasure to note, though,
that it has little resonance with FIU as an institution.
As we enter our 30th year of existence, not only
have goals been set, they have been set at thresholds
considered by some over the years as unattainable.
Not only have there been laudable goals related
to teaching, research, and service, but also the
achievement of most of them has confounded many
critics. Fortunately then, institutional tragedy,
thinking of Benjamin Mays, has not been the fate
of FIU.
Those goals, set high and frequently achieved,
are themselves an indication that the makers of
history at FIU—and these have included presidents,
students, faculty members, and staff--have been
dreamers par excellence. As might be
expected, the goals and dreams have been set and
pursued to: provide the best possible educational
experience to students; increase the volume and
value of applied and non-applied research to the
scientific and social communities; and furnish
tangible service to our local, national, and international
communities.
Yet, as critical as
these areas continue to be, goals and dreams at
FIU have not been—and cannot be—limited
to them. Goals and dreams have existed also in
relation to diversity; to the constituencies that
are essential to the very essence of the institution
and its educational mission, and that typify the
communities FIU is committed to serving.
This magazine provides
a glimpse at some of our diversity goals and dreams.
It shows that tragedy and calamity are not part
of who we are and what we do; it indicates the
seriousness with which the institution takes diversity;
and it reflects our multidimensional approach
to the subject. I am pleased to commend it to
you, on my own behalf and on behalf of our president,
publisher, and managing editor.
This portal into diversity
goals, dreams, and pursuits at FIU results from
the devotion of considerable time and energy by
contributors and editorial and publications staff.
Permit me to use this opportunity to thank them
for their individual and collective contributions
to the success of this venture.
To you the reader I
say: Read on! Share in our pride in the diversity
goals and dreams we have pursued and achieved!
Join our celebration of diversity! We’re
proud and thankful that, remembering the words
of Benjamin E. Mays, tragedy and calamity do not
characterize us, although we recognize that many
more goals and dreams remain to be pursued and
fulfilled!
Ivelaw L. Griffith, Ph.D.
Executive Editor
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