RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY: Honors Village Grand Opening Elevates Student Success

Photo credit: Chris Richards, The University of Arizona Alumni Association

From University President Robert C. Robbins to Dean Terry Hunt, the November 5th opening of the Honors Village centered on a single theme; student success. Even though the project went from plans to move-in ready in under two years, the enduring legacy of the project is already being built. All with an eye on the Honors College vision of “Destiny, accelerated” for each and every student. According to the President, “We know that students who live on campus, especially in that first year, do better in every metric that you can imagine. We’re very focused in our strategic plan on student success: It’s the most important part (of the plan), with student retention and graduation rates being things we’re going to be measuring. Providing a supportive, safe environment for our students, over 35% of whom are first generation, is part of making them welcome to our community.”

Arizona Board of Regents’ Chair Larry Edward Penley, an educational and institutional leader with an extended history of collegiate impact, echoed these sentiments, as well as bringing forward the University’s importance to the city, state, and beyond. With over 1,000 students now fully immersed in the Village experience this fall semester, the impact of the University’s commitment is being experienced every day. Following the stirring call of the Wildcat Pep Band and kinetic energy of Wilbur and Wilma, the official ribbon cutting and courtyard reception made yesterday’s ceremony a powerful, positive memory. Thanks, in no small measure, to the inventive Rube Goldberg Club’s interpretation of the collegiate journey. All serving as a reminder that student success benefits from having a home to call its own.