From the President

In physics, we spend a lot of time talking about static friction, the initial resistance we need to overcome just to get an object to budge. Once it’s moving, we can rely on Newton’s First Law, which assumes that an object in motion will stay in motion.

But Newton was describing a theoretical vacuum. In the real world, there is drag.

Whether it’s air resistance or mechanical friction, the middle mile of any journey is a constant battle against energy loss. To keep an object moving, you must either provide a continuous input of power or
find a way to reduce the drag. Without help, friction eventually wins, and any hard-won momentum grinds to a halt.

I see this same phenomenon in our students. We invest in and celebrate the initial force it takes to get them into college, and we cheer when they cross the finish line at graduation. But we often overlook the drag of the sophomore year—that difficult middle mile where the initial burst of energy fades, but the goal is still years away.

In this issue of Cardinal Cadence, you’ll find a fascinating feature on Roland Rodriguez ’74, a business leader and distinguished alumnus who recognizes that the “Who You Know” gap is its own kind of friction. He has changed the game for our students by championing their talent and putting his own reputation behind them. By actively working to smooth the surface between the classroom and the career, he is proving that social capital is just as important as individual skill and commitment. I think this is the fullest mission of any university: to ensure our students have what they need to turn their hard-won momentum
into lifelong success.

As you read his story, I hope you’ll consider how you might play a role in helping our students maintain that momentum. Some of you have the financial means to provide students with an input of power. And some of you have a professional network that can reduce the friction they encounter along the way. Our community is at its strongest when we work together to clear the path for the next generation. How might you become a part of this pipeline?