The past three decades have been the "best of times" for our innovative career and self-development magazine. Untold numbers of African-American college graduates throughout the nation have utilized THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine as an invaluable guide to achieving professional success, both in and out of corporate America. Now, in the dawn of a new millennium, the mission of our magazine remains ever more relevant. 

As THE BLACK COLLEGIAN now celebrates its 30^th anniversary year of publishing, it's fitting that the magazine continues to serve as a bridge of opportunity for multiple generations of its readers. From the publication's debut in 1970 to the present, the cornerstone of editorial content has heavily focused on providing diverse career-related information of value. One of the more appealing aspects of the magazine is the variety of cutting-edge content routinely explored in each issue.  For example, in this edition, readers will learn how today's fast-moving Internet economy has transformed the way people work, shop, play and communicate. In addition, in an era when so many "baby boomers" are retiring as educators, we'll discover dedicated teachers encouraging more African-American college graduates to choose teaching as a means of "making a difference" in the quality of lives of young African Americans. Plus, a comprehensive overview will be provided of the explosive nature of financial services, and that industry's impact on society. 

On a personal note, the magazine's launch in 1970 coincides with my graduation in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Even though I completed college before gaining the career insights featured in the publication, the magazine and I intuitively had much in common amounting to a relentless pursuit of excellence in all of our endeavors. Perhaps it was destiny that our paths crossed several years ago, when I was invited to join the staff.

In marketing circles, one of the best forms of advertising is "word of mouth." This, in fact, holds true in assessing the real impact of the publication on the lives of people, just like you and me. I'd like to share a couple of illustrations of this point with you. Renelius Bell was a senior electrical engineering major last fall at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He wrote me to indicate how valuable our magazine has been to him. "I commend THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine on a fantastic job. You created a tool that I have personally used to assist me in preparing for interviews, and helped me to make important decisions about graduate school. Thank you and please continue the excellent work," said Bell.  Joe Marion serves as director of Career Counseling and Placement at Southern University at New Orleans. His inspiring letter to me about our magazine speaks volumes about the impact of the publication on university career services professionals and students alike. Marion stated, "I am writing to express my thanks and appreciation for the fine job THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine is doing. Over the last 15 years, my students and I have been enlightened and informed by the contents of your magazine giving students information on how to succeed once they've landed that career position. Your magazine provides the best career-related information available. Please continue to provide this pivotal information to our students."

To many thousands of our other valued readers, such as Renelius Bell and Joe Marion, it's an honor for me to serve as editor of this noteworthy publication, which has been, and still is, an inspiration to the lives of so many people it has touched. My pledge to you is that we will never compromise our journalistic integrity or rest on our past laurels of success. We will continue enhancing the editorial and aesthetic quality of our magazine for your valued information and pleasure. In reflection back to my early youth, one of many lessons I learned from my father bodes well in this case. My father persistently advised me that "if you're going to assume any responsibility in life, handle it to the best of your God-given ability, and always commit yourself to achieving excellence."

Robert G. Miller is the vice president of Editorial Administration and editor of iMinorities, Inc., and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.