Dear College of Arts and Science friends:

A week ago, I stood before more than 1,000 first-year students and welcomed them into the College of Arts and Science. I don’t know who was more excited, them or me. I’ve been serving as interim dean of the college since May but nothing prepared me for looking across Langford Auditorium and taking in the size, diversity and anticipation of our incoming class.

Standing before those students was humbling and inspiring. The Class of 2018 is packed with bright, inquisitive and talented women and men from all backgrounds pursuing their educations in the humanities, sciences and arts. I am charged—along with faculty, associate deans, staff and all of Vanderbilt—with helping them learn, grow and thrive.

That charge is one that we gladly accept. We’re glad they’re here and we welcome them, along with returning undergraduates, graduate students and new faculty, to the College of Arts and Science.

In the months to come, I hope to get to know many of them, and many of you—the alumni, parents and friends who make up the Arts and Science community.

Here’s to a great year.

Best wishes,

John Sloop
Interium Dean

What I wish I’d known
A panel of upperclass students offered tips to incoming first years during the College of Arts and Science’s school welcome Aug.18.

Other Arts and Science stories
The Wall Street Journal and New York Times ran prominent articles on the work of Mel Zielger, art department chair; the Associated Press, CNBC and CBS talked to economist John Vrooman on basketball, money and a pro football team’s possible move; and political scientists Bruce Oppenheimer and John Geer discussed the Tea Party with CBS and NPR.