As we kick off our Critical Issues in Christian Higher Education conference this year, you'll note that we are beginning with the issue of academic excellence. This year's conference focuses on the evidence we have collected over the years in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities - evidence to support how well we are delivering on our promises, those promises that we have articulated as our mission statements. We have analyzed all of the CCCU members' mission statements and discovered that there are four primary "promises" we are making to our students: that they will receive an excellent academic education and grow intellectually, that they will grow spiritually and be able to develop a Christian worldview, that they will develop leadership abilities, and that they will have the opportunity to serve. In later plenary sessions, we will address faith formation and Christian worldview issues, service, and leadership. This morning we begin by talking about academic excellence precisely because it is at the heart of our mission-we are first and foremost educational institutions, academic communities.