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JACKSON, Tenn. — April 4, 2008 — Originally scheduled for completion in two years, the long-range plan for 51���� will be completed July 31, after Union trustees on April 4 approved an early ending for “Union 2010: A Vision for Excellence.”

“It has, for all practical purposes, been completed,” Union President David S. Dockery said about “Union 2010.” “Never before, in a 40-month period, has so much been accomplished at 51���� than since the implementation of ‘Union 2010.’ We give thanks to God for his amazing blessings that have allowed these wonderful accomplishments to take place.”

Union trustees adopted the “Union 2010” plan in 2004. The plan called for new graduate programs, increased enrollment and improvements to the Jackson campus, among other goals. Dockery said the university has completed about 90 percent of the goals outlined in the long-range plan. The Feb. 5 tornado that inflicted about $40 million in damage to the Union campus made an early ending for the plan necessary, he added.

“It is an amazing story,” Dockery said. “Never before has the university attempted something so bold and so far-reaching.

“We are bringing it to completion early so that the entire university can focus over the next 12 months on the recovery and rebuilding efforts,” he continued. “This time of focus will be followed by the unveiling of a new plan to move Union forward in the second decade of the 21st century.”

Among the dozens of goals from “Union 2010” that the university met were:

• construction of White Hall and Fesmire Field House.

• launching of such degree programs as Master of Christian Studies, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Social Work.

• adoption of a new confessional statement for the university.

• beginning a university debate team (which will start in the fall of 2008) and women’s soccer team.

• reaffirmation of Union’s accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

• accreditation for nursing, social work, teacher education and engineering programs.

Dockery said the university’s leaders would work to develop a new long-range plan during the 2008-2009 academic year. The top priorities for that plan will be the projects that were not completed in “Union 2010,” specifically the construction of a new pharmacy building, enhancement of the university’s honors program and additional accreditation for Union’s graduate programs in business.