I am so proud of our talented students, and I hope you are, too.
This is always a time of great excitement as new and returning students have settled into the routines of the semester, pursing their studies and engaging in their home community of Flagstaff.
As I noted last month, this fall is extra special for us, as we are officially celebrating our 125th year as an engine of opportunity, vehicle of upward mobility and driver of social impact.
While we can’t say for sure what the next 125 years will bring, I am certain NAU and our greater Flagstaff community will face the future boldly and with innovation, resilience and a mutual commitment to the people who call this place home.
You may ask, why am I am so bullish on our future at age 125? Here are just a few reasons:
This fall, we enrolled our most diverse first-year class ever, who come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Our newest Lumberjacks reflect NAU’s commitment to access and attainment, the national and international draw of the Flagstaff Mountain campus – all 50 states and more than 90 countries are represented—and the unparalleled value provided by an NAU education, which offers graduates a 100% career-ready experience to power their post-college success.
More students are continuing their studies and succeeding thanks to strong attention to retention and graduation throughout the university, a testament to NAU’s emphasis on student success throughout its endeavors. Our six-year graduation rate, the indicator of success in delivering value and propelling success for our students, is at an all-time high. Never before has NAU retained and graduated more students.
To support the success and immersion of students on NAU’s Flagstaff campus, approximately 10,200 students will live in on-campus housing this fall – another record for NAU. With an unparalleled campus living experience in one of the nation’s premier college towns, as well as close access to classes, academic resources, student life activities, a rich sense of community and campus employment opportunities, residential engagement is a proven means of enhancing the student experience and propelling success.
And, in thinking about the connections between our university and or community, one of the most important contributions of a university to its community is to serve as a resource for knowledge – connecting experts to tackle real-world problems; graduating students prepared to contribute to society and uplift their home community; generating economic impact and promoting cultural vitality.
These are just a few reasons why I am so optimistic that NAU is on the right trajectory and has never been stronger.
And, this is a big anniversary year for us on multiple fronts. Not only are we celebrating 125, but we will also soon be marking the historic 100th edition of Homecoming! I invite you to join our extravaganza honoring our Lumberjack spirt with the parade, tailgating and football game in the SkyDome on Oct. 19.
This tradition will also give you the opportunity to be a part of an exceptional point of pride for our university and the Flagstaff community.
NAU’s Lumberjack Marching Band was recently selected to perform in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, representing the state of Arizona. Homecoming will be a great opportunity to see the band in person – during the Homecoming parade and before and during the football game.
The Macy’s Parade Band Committee shared that they look for bands that have the stage presence, musical and marching abilities, and the ability to captivate millions of live spectators and viewers nationwide. Our Lumberjack Marching Band was selected from more than 100 applicants as one of 10 selected bands to march in the 99th edition of the annual holiday parade. This is truly a dream come true for our students.
At the surprise announcement in August, the Macy’s team presented the band with $10,000 to help kick off their fundraising efforts. NAU’s Lumberjack Marching Band will spend the next 14 months planning for their appearance and raising money to travel to New York in 2025.   
I am so proud of our talented students, and I hope you are, too. This recognition shines a spotlight on the excellence of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the incredible community we call home. I look forward to supporting the Lumberjack Marching Band over the next year as they prepare for the march of a lifetime!
Go Jacks! FBN
José Luis Cruz Rivera is the president of Northern Arizona University.