It’s hard to believe how swiftly time has passed since Final Exercises. As we move deeper into summer, these last few weeks have allowed me to reflect on this past academic year within the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, to consider the great work that was accomplished, to celebrate your achievements and to look forward to our future with much anticipation.
Before launching into this year-end report from the Dean’s Office, let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude. Whether it was your emotional outpouring in response to the disappearance and murder of Hannah Graham; your resolve to address national and global questions of sexual violence; or your commitment to explore the enduring legacies of race at the university and across society, you have faced the events of this academic year with dignity and with a resolve to mentor our students through challenging times. We are reflecting and asking difficult questions, as all great universities must do. The years ahead will be better because of your efforts.
After a year of great challenges and significant shared accomplishments, we recognize that the College is gaining momentum in important ways. Our dedicated faculty and staff remain focused on engaging our students, delivering a world-class liberal arts education, and pioneering research at the forefront of knowledge.
In this report you will read about the progress we have made together in a variety of areas—from undergraduate to graduate education, from the arts and humanities to the social and natural sciences. This includes highlights of our strategic planning process and initiatives related to engaged learning, research and discovery, faculty hiring, finances, and capital projects. You will also find a detailed listing of your faculty colleagues’ awards and achievements from this year. Please join me in congratulating them for their dedication and accomplishments.
Your efforts give our students an amazing educational experience and make the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences the heart and soul of the University. I thank you all for your continued great work—especially for your engagement on curricular reform, financial planning for the College, the ongoing strengthening of the graduate school and for your commitment to faculty diversity through a vibrant exchange across a range of town halls and diversity forums.
I look forward to seeing you soon, especially as we welcome our students back in August.
Sincerely,
Ian Baucom
Buckner W. Clay Dean of Arts & Sciences