It's that time of year when, once again, I "retire" my blog for the summer.I want to take this opportunity to salute your efforts: the months of studying and course work, your participation in various extracurricular activities, and your dedication and commitment to various volunteer initiatives have been most impressive.

Most of you have finished your exams and papers and are off to summer jobs, visits with family and friends, or trips to exotic places-or perhaps more studies in the form of university courses that interest you! However you choose to spend your time, I wish you a happy, productive and safe summer. I look forward to welcoming you back here in the fall to begin what I hope will be another exciting and memorable year for all of the university community.

Although the blog is taking a summer break, we're always open for your comments, so post them through the "Let's Talk" Suggestion Box.

As the session comes to an end, I would like to congratulate you all on your hard work throughout this academic year, and to offer you my best wishes on your final exams and projects. The upcoming days will be challenging but exhilarating as you apply the knowledge you've learned in your courses. I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect upon your many achievements from this past year.

If you are feeling anxious or worried about exams, don't forget about the many valuable and free services and programs available to you through the Student Academic Success Service (SASS). Located at 100 Marie-Curie, SASS has an incredible team of professionals waiting to provide you with assistance, from for academic writing help to confidential personal counselling.

For those students who are graduating this year, I wish you all the best as you move on to new adventures and your career. I hope to see you at graduation! I also hope you will look back fondly on your years at the University of Ottawa and feel that you are leaving campus with the knowledge and skills you need to reach your full potential. The future is yours! I look forward to seeing the rest of you back on campus in the fall.

Last but not least, I invite all students to provide feedback on our most recent draft version of the new strategic plan, Vision 2020, before it goes to the Senate and Board of Governors for final approval. Please submit your comments and suggestions before May 15, 2011. Your opinion is important to us and will help ensure a stronger long-term plan for the University. Let us know if we are on the right track or if there are any missing elements that should be included.

The inaugural exhibit, (nouveau) flâneur, features the photography of Richard Jansen, a fourth-year visual arts student in the Faculty of Arts, and was curated by history and art theory student Natasha Chaykowski. The opening was a resounding success, with more than 75 people in attendance.

The impetus for this initiative came from Faculty of Law student Eric Shalom, who made the suggestion to hang student art in the 6th floor Graduate Student Reading Room. He thought it would be a great opportunity for the Department of Visual Arts to highlight the skill and talent of its students, while making the Library more inviting. The current exhibit will be on display until June 17, and is the first in what we hope will be an expanding program using the work of visual arts students to beautify public spaces on campus.

From March 22-24, 2011, I visited New York and Washington on behalf of our university. While I was there, I attended alumni events in both cities. It had been two years since my last visit with alumni in these cities, so it was great to renew friendships and acquaintances and to let our alumni know what we're up to.

In New York, I met with 50 alumni - mostly graduates of the Faculty of Law and Telfer School of Management. In Washington, 35 alumni from social sciences, arts, law and public administration attended our cocktail reception. Our alumni are like walking ambassadors for uOttawa. When I meet them, I look forward to their feedback and feel real pride in their accomplishments.

Among the many alumni who joined us were Gilles Rivard of the Faculty of Arts, and Hugh Verrier of the Faculty of Law, who attended our reception in New York. Gilles is currently Canada's ambassador to the United Nations in New York; prior to this appointment he was Canada's ambassador to Haiti. He earned his master's in 1985. Hugh is chairman of White & Case LLP, one of the United States' leading law firms; he directs its operations and practices around the world. In 2010, he received our Meritas-Tabaret Award for Alumni Achievement at the University's Distinguished Canadian Leadership Awards ceremony. He earned his LLB in 1982.

I really enjoyed catching up with Gilles, Hugh and all of our alumni. It reminded me of why we put in the work to make this a great university, seeing how our people are making their mark in the U.S., and around the world.