Dear Friends:

As you may already know, I plan to retire from the University of Connecticut this summer.  My wife and I looked forward to visiting other universities around the world over the next few years.  I have accepted a visiting appointment at Brigham Young University for this fall semester.

I have enjoyed the past seventeen years as Director of the Real Estate Center.  The Center has a world-class reputation for real estate education, research and industry service.  I am pleased that the program is consistently ranked among the top real estate programs in the world.  We have developed numerous alumni events, conferences, and education programs to service all segments of the real estate industry.  We have constantly revised our undergraduate and graduate curricula to meet educational needs of students.  I believe that our students are among the best-trained in the country.  Our research has examined a wide variety of real estate issues, including brokerage, mortgage underwriting, house price trends, commercial property valuation, portfolio management, securitization, and numerous other topics.  Our research is widely-cited and used by real estate industry professionals around the world.

Our achievements would not have been possible without strong industry support.  I thank you for helping in all the ways necessary to make the program excellent.

The School of Business is committed to maintaining a world-class real estate program.  Ray Kehrhahn will be interim director for the fall 2008 semester.  Beginning spring semester 2009, Professor John Clapp, who is on sabbatic leave during this fall, has been appointed to be director for a period of three years.  One of John’s main tasks is to head a search for a new director and faculty member to be my replacement.  I’m certain that John would welcome any input and suggestions. The Center is in an excellent position to remain a leading program.

I thank you for all your help to me and your support of the program. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

C. F. Sirmans

Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor

  and William N. Kinnard, Jr. Professor

Director, Real Estate Center