With the millennium only 42 days away, those at Ohio State’s Newark campus focused on the future as they formally welcomed their new campus president Friday afternoon.Hundreds of education and community leaders gathered at Adena Hall for the inauguration of Anne Cairns Federlein, the first person to assume the title of Newark president.The Newark campus consists of two separate institutions: the Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. Previously, each school had its own administrator. “This common, one title carries the responsibility to make sure that the campuses are respected and honored by each other and by the outside community as well. I’m also here to make sure the divide between them lessens,” Federlein said.The ceremony began with a formal academic procession, including most of the Newark faculty and faculty and administrators from higher education institutions across the nation. Phyllis Thompson, manager of learning assistance and disability services, said the creation of the president’s position greatly strengthened the administrative structure that already existed.In her inaugural speech, Federlein warned the faculty of the need for a change in thinking and practice. “We must be creative in how we educate the next generation.”Our students can not be classified as typical students. Some are 18-year-olds, entering college immediately from high school. But more and more, we have a rapidly growing group of older working adults,” Federlein said.”Make no mistake,” she said. “All of them are living a dream.”Federlein, who has an extensive and diverse background in education and business, outlined three challenges for the Newark campus. The first was to improve the student experience. “Our students must be adequately prepared, both personally and professionally, to live and succeed in our new society.” she said.The second challenge was to meet new initiatives in technology. This challenge especially applies to the new J. Gilbert Reese Center, which is scheduled to begin construction next year. Plans for the technology center include a conference center, state-of-the-art classrooms, an auditorium, distance learning facilities and the latest technology services for faculty, students and staff.The third challenge was to develop and implement community outreach and services. Federlein said, “We will be mindful of the need to give our students the opportunity to develop a voice, a purpose and leadership skills to use both on campus and in the community.”At a reception following the ceremony, faculty and students expressed their excitement about the new president. Cori Pittman, a fourth-year English major, said she was just “glad to see a woman in office.” Teresa Rajchel, a graduate student who was involved in the student selection portion of the search for a president said, “I felt from the beginning that she had the students’ interests at heart. And she is so charming and so approachable.”Christine Ballengee-Morris, an arts education professor, pointed out that Federlein, who began working at Newark in July, had already initiated a campus-wide committee for cultural diversity and awareness. “She’s charged all of us with working together for the benefit of the entire campus,” Ballengee-Morris said.Despite the excitement of the celebration, Federlein remained focused on the future at all times. “Our students must be prepared to assume leadership positions in the next generation,” she explained. “A Liberal Arts education at Ohio State University – Newark, as well as focused training programs at the Central Ohio Technical College, will give students the tools to be those future leaders.”