Penley Panel

Think locally, act globally. While the saying is as contemporary in 2007 as it was when it reportedly was coined in 1969, local-global issues today are increasingly complex. This issue of The Competitive Edge considers issues both international and local in scope, issues as serious as cancer research and space travel and as simple as beautifying a common area or rallying around college athletics.

The launching of CSU’s newest Supercluster for cancer research and treatment reminds us of the high cost of cancer throughout the world – not only the monetary costs for treatment but also the many lives lost to the disease. As 65 Colorado State University scientists work diligently on cancer treatments for this innovative research-to-market venture, our enterprise partners will forge business alliances to maximize opportunities to use that research.

Our students, too, are making a difference both locally and globally. CSU mechanical engineering and engineering science students are doing work that is literally “out of this world” as they design a key component for a 2009 NASA satellite launch. Closer to home, CSU landscape design students applied well-honed creative and business skills in a local design competition at Centerra, Northern Colorado's largest master-planned community.

On the local level, too, our partnership with the city of Fort Collins to rally around CSU athletics is a win-win situation for the region that will inject both enthusiasm into the city and dollars into the local economy.

Thank you for joining us.

Larry Edward Penley
Colorado State University President