The following message from Chancellor Hackley was disseminated to the Aggie Family on January 19, 2007, in the AGGIeNEWS e-letter.

This current time presents an opportunity for us to determine whether there is a strong enough will among all of our various groups on and attached to the campus to bring about the freedoms and equality we speak and write about so glibly but sometimes fail to live.

When I say all , I am talking about North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University: faculty, staff, trustees, students, administrators, alumni, parents, retirees; as well as North Carolina's K-12 system, the community colleges, the universities, the legislature and the local governments. I know some individuals are working very hard and well, but as groups we are failing young people.

I was moved on Monday during the Martin Luther King holiday when many of our North Carolina A&T State University students volunteered and supported our community. Instead of taking the day off, they followed King's dream by making a difference and touching lives.

As we commemorate King's dream, we must honestly focus on how far we have come or have not come since the mid-sixties in educating our youngsters and America's future. The events of the past few days have revealed to the Aggie community and public-at-large some of the stark realities facing us: retention rates, graduation rates, enrollment, SAT scores, internal surveys, nursing pass-rates, ethical issues, scholarship dollars, teacher education productivity, college preparation, and Judge Manning's high school list.

We are being tested right now. However, I want to assure you that A&T is in the hands of a competent and capable leadership team. This team, with your help and your input, will turn a dire situation around because the ultimate fate of A&T is in our hands.

As your chancellor, I am responsible for ensuring that our good reputation as a High Research University is maintained and enhanced and that we afford our students the very best education possible. A&T's mission and the mission of education in a democratic society is to help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they will need to be fully functional in their society at any level they choose to participate unfettered by at-birth circumstances.

Look forward to regular updates from me during this transitional period. Under my watch, we will boldly correct challenges facing A&T and allow stumbling blocks to become stepping stones as we move from success to significance.

Thanks for your work over the years to promote educational equity, access and research excellence at A&T. Together, we will transform our University to its highest potential.

Thanks again for your faith and support of A&T.

Aggie Pride!