On Thursday, August 28 Castleton officially opened the 2014-15 academic year with its fall Convocation as more than 500 students, faculty, and staff members joined President Dave Wolk for his annual state of the college address in the Casella Theater.
Wolk’s address showcased Castleton’s most recent entrepreneurial ventures, referencing the Castleton Plan, the college’s ten-year blueprint for the future, and assured the college’s continued growth and transformation.
“We are a college in transformation,” Wolk began, “We need to continue to be entrepreneurial and innovative in our approach to the growth of the college.”
With the mission of attracting and retaining new students who will continue to enhance diversity, Wolk announced the inauguration of the new international student initiative that promises to bring in an increased number of talented students from many foreign countries. Also spearheading the college into new territory is the establishment of the new Castleton Downtown Center for Entrepreneurial Programs located in Rutland, which will better connect businesses, nonprofits, schools and local government to both provide more learning opportunities for students and to promote and support economic development in the region.
Wolk explained the Castleton Downtown Center for Entrepreneurial Programs, partnered with the Castleton Downtown Gallery and the Polling Institute, marks just the beginning of Castleton’s expansion into Rutland.
Other entrepreneurial ventures included the bolstering of existing graduate programs in accounting and education, along with the initiation of several new graduate programs in theater, music, mathematics, athletic leadership, and arts administration, as well as the launch of Castleton’s new website and visual identity.
“We will continue to embrace our uniquely special, relationship-based education, as we continue to transform ourselves together with new approaches that serve our students well,” finished Wolk. “The oldest college in Vermont cherishes its traditions, but is caring and courageous enough to change, to transform, and to do so together for continued success for our students and our college.”
Read President Wolk's Complete Address