That's why it's so exciting. It was not something we applied for. It's not a lobbying thing.

In my 25 years in academia, I have never seen such a focused and effective response launched in a quicker amount of time.

Our medical school puts the highest percentage of graduates into pediatrics and family practice in the country.

In terms of self-confidence and faculty believing we can accomplish great things, it's a shot in the arm. ... It gives us an advantage in recruitment and tells students they can stay in the state and go to a great school. And I hope it gives our state citizens a boost, a point of pride.

We're hoping he'll go back and remember one or two or three of the wonderful things we're doing. And that he'll remember us as one of the places on the map.

He got around to everyone during the week and that's when he told me anyway and he went around to everyone individually and spoke to everyone.