Purposeful Ambition: Beloiters rightly pride themselves on their individuality. They march to different drummers, see the world through different lenses and take the roads less traveled. With all this wonderful and magical variety, however, there is one big commonality. Beloiters are embodiments of active verbs. They move and they shake. They ferment and they catalyze. They bridle at complacence and are impatient with dithering. They do not sit still with grace and comfort. In fact, the history of this path-breaking college points, without exception, to this one defining characteristic of the place and its people: purposeful ambition.

Some campuses complain of apathy or, even worse, a reluctance to embrace change or take risks. At Beloit, we embrace bold new approaches to the undergraduate educational experience and see innovation as critical to realizing our mission. The Beloiters I know exude confidence, conviction, and courage. What they are not is content. They “Beloiter.” (Yes, I regard the label as both a noun and a verb.)

One of the reasons I pay close attention to the college’s history is because each stone that is turned reveals yet another story of a Beloiter’s creative discovery and bold leadership. And, most importantly, there are breadcrumbs that reveal the role their Beloit education played in this success, no matter their era. Is there another college that can match this history? Can any other college “Beloiter” as well as us?

Who can doubt, for example, that the famous field terms of the Beloit Plan years provided a distinctive canvas on which many, many Beloit students began to write their futures—futures of purpose and consequence? Who would bet against a prediction that the class of 2015 will seize our new distinctive curriculum and, in partnership with the faculty and staff who conceived and implemented it, make this college ever prouder?

The spirit of this place is one of innovation, energy, and action. We here at the college, I think you will find, are picking up the pace.

In the pages that follow, we have attempted to document the direction and velocity of our energies; to introduce some of the people who are catalyzing our current efforts, the programs they are shaping that reaffirm, strengthen, and expand upon our legacy, and the physical developments—the places—that better honor our past and enhance our prospects.

In a break from what most often appears in reports of this sort, we will also lay out a vision here. We will give you an idea of where these successes may point us, and other challenges we intend to harness in the years ahead.

We’re on the move, and we are ambitious. We have each other to thank for that.

Thank you for all you do to compel us forward. The evidence, you will agree, all points in the same direction: It is a great day to be a Beloiter, be with Beloiters, and to be Beloitering.

Sincerely,

PRESIDENT SCOTT BIERMAN