From the Dean | May 2023
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Dear Arts and Science community, On May 12, we sent our 2023 graduates into the world, filled with hope, passion, and promise. During their time here, these students accomplished so much, whether it be navigating our immigration system to help Spanish-speakers moving to Nashville, working with a physician mentor to build a career in neonatal medicine, conducting cutting-edge data analysis to improve patient care, or simply building greater confidence to tackle today’s most pressing problems. To say these graduates are impressive is an understatement. We admit only the very best students and then give them a world-class education. The combination is beyond powerful. I cannot wait to hear about their future adventures and countless successes, which will allow them all to make a difference as they strive to improve our world. It’s hard for me to believe, but this is my final letter as dean of the College of Arts and Science. On July 1, I will begin my new position at Vanderbilt as senior advisor to the chancellor. In this role, I will help advance the university’s critical efforts to promote democracy, free expression, and open dialogue across the country and the globe. These goals are especially important as our society faces threats to our core principles. Higher education must play a central role in these struggles and our chancellor has positioned Vanderbilt to be a central player in this noble initiative. I will very much miss being dean of this exceptional college but am excited to play a role in these mission-critical efforts. Reflecting on the past five years, I am filled with deep gratitude for the A&S community. Parents, alumni, faculty, students, staff, friends, donors—every one of you provided invaluable support, whether you knew it or not, to help this college—and university—succeed. You came together during COVID to make sure the college continued to not just operate but thrive. You provided needed support for scholarships, research centers, Immersion projects, and faculty fellowships. You taught, mentored, and hired our students. You continue to support Vanderbilt’s Dare to Grow campaign, the most ambitious philanthropic effort in the university’s history. Personally, you offered me helpful advice and ideas. Your role in the success of the college has been instrumental and something that I deeply appreciate and will never forget. I am delighted that Timothy P. McNamara, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in the Social and Natural Sciences and professor of psychology, will serve as interim dean of the college for the next year. Tim is a highly respected scholar, skilled administrator, and valued friend. Under his capable leadership, I know that A&S will build on its strong foundation and continue to prosper. In other words, we will dare to grow, moving the college forward in important ways that will advance our mission of tackling the most pressing challenges facing our world today. So, thank you. From a personal standpoint, I am indebted to all of you for making my time as dean a rewarding, informative, and yes, fun experience. I know that the College of Arts and Science would not be in the strong position it’s in without this incredible and supportive community. Of course, I am not going far, so I will still be around to watch all the successes of our amazing A&S community. Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing all of you in the coming months and years.
My best,
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