A daylong, universitywide celebration on Aug. 29 will offer faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university many opportunities to celebrate NAU's mission and achievements, and reflect on a decade of change.

Celebrate NAU Day events include a campus picnic, building tours, a statewide ITV broadcast and a public forum hosted by NAU President John Haeger.

The events have been planned to coincide with two key university initiatives: the new strategic plan and the reaccreditation site visit in October.

The new strategic plan will be unveiled later this month, which outlines seven institutional goals for the university, along with specific strategies that reinforce them:

1. Learning-centered university
2. Student access, learning, persistence and affordability
3. Sustainability and stewardship of place
4. Global engagement
5. A culture of inclusion, civility and respect
6. A commitment to Native Americans
7. Innovative, effective and accountable practices

The campus community also is gearing up for activities surrounding the October reaccreditation site visit, which occurs every 10 years as a way of ensuring that the university is meeting the accrediting body's expectations.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to have an awareness and understanding of the university's strategic goals as part of the reaccreditation process.

"It's an ideal time to initiate a dialogue about where we're going as a university," Haeger said. "We hope the campus and community come out in force to celebrate with us."

The campus and public are invited to all events.

Information is available online.

Campus events

Campus Picnic
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., University Union (bldg. 30), west lawn
Grab a burger, listen to music, win cool prizes and learn about NAU's vision for the future.

NAU Across the State
2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Adel Math (bldg. 26), room 137
Take part in an ITV broadcast streamed to statewide students, faculty, staff, and administrators to learn how the university's reaccreditation process and new strategic plan impact the statewide initiative.

President's Forum and Reception
3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Ashurst Auditorium (bldg. 11)
Join NAU President John Haeger to discuss the university's achievements, goals and commitments to the community. Afterward, network with administrators and colleagues at a universitywide reception.

Campus tours
Tour the conference center construction site and our new green buildings.

Conference Center
9 a.m.
Meet at the construction trailer. Hard hats are provided. No open-toed shoes or high heels.

Applied Research and Development
10 a.m.
Meet at the front entrance to the building.

The W. A. Franke College of Business
11 a.m.
The tour starts from the south side patio.

Engineering Building
1:30 p.m.
Tour starts in the atrium area facing The W. A. Franke College of Business.