The University of Arizona loves President Peter Likins.

Another year is coming to a close, and looking back on Likinsâ involvement in the university community, only one word comes to mind: devotion.

When the events of Sept. 11 devastated the world, Likins immediately organized a ãcommunity meetingä on the Mall, a gathering that more than 1,000 members of the campus community attended.

ãThere are people of all nations on this campus that come to us from every corner of the world,ä he said at the event. ãThere are no nations responsible for these crimes, which are crimes against humanity, not just crimes against America.ä

Likins jumped head first into the cactus garden/Alumni Plaza conflict, attempting to respond personally to every e-mail he received regarding the issue until finally he felt compelled to speak directly to the campus through a guest commentary in the Wildcat.

ãI truly believe that our alumni and the Alumni Association deserve more praise and less criticism than they have received thus far, and I hope the support they need for the success of their project will now be forthcoming,ä he wrote.

Likins opened his ears to protesters of the Alumni Plaza but simultaneously recognized the desire of alumni to improve the campus through the construction of the plaza.

Likins is a realistic leader of the university. He has said that UA is not an ãivory tower,ä immune to budget and salary cuts. Rather, he has looked these issues in the face, realizing that UA will have to give back to the state government to offset the budget crisis, and rolling with the punches as they come at him.

ãWeâve got to take care of our friends because we expect them to take care of us,ä he said about giving university funds back the state Legislature.

And the list goes on. Through the budget crisis, tuition hikes, salary cuts and everything else that happens on this campus, Likins has stuck by his students through thick and thin.

He is a highly visible leader on campus ÷ a passionate and motivated 5-foot-5 inch ball of energy. From sunup to sundown, Likins eats, sleeps and breathes the University of Arizona.

We at the Wildcat, and on campus as a whole, want to thank you for his dedication to one of the worthiest causes around: higher education. His firm beliefs and reasonable strategies have proven beneficial for UA thus far and will continue to do so in the future.

ãCheers!ä Pete! The UA loves you!