Across the Green

“Energy and Momentum” …two properties of physics that aptly describe what is happening at UVM. The sources of energy are both internal (the hard work and collective goodwill of UVM’s people) and external (enthusiastic support of our alumni and new resources to the University that will enable us to achieve the vision and goals articulated in the President’s Strategic Action Plan).

In my role as Provost, I am fortunate to have occasion to promote and celebrate the many accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students. These range from academic and scholarly achievements, to successes and innovations in pedagogy, to impactful community and statewide engagement, to enabling campus-wide improvements.

Welcome to the 2014-15 academic year! What an exciting start – especially for our newest students, the UVM Class of 2018. Once again, our campus community pulled out all the stops in welcoming our newest Catamounts, a week that was capped off by the Convocation and Induction Ceremonies. It is so impressive to see students, faculty, staff, academic and administrative leadership, alumni, and community members gather together to welcome the newest members of our UVM family. What a great message this sends to our first-year students.

As one of the nation’s premier small research universities – a “public ivy” and one of the oldest and most highly respected academic institutions – the University of Vermont must be steadfast and unwavering in its commitment to academic excellence.

What a wonderful academic year we have just concluded, capped off by a spectacular Commencement weekend and the “launch” of the Class of 2014. By all measures, this was one of the most academically talented, broadly educated, and well prepared classes of graduates we have celebrated.

The University of Vermont is a remarkable and important university, with a rich and proud history and a national reputation for both the quality of its academic programs and the quality of life afforded its students, faculty, and staff. By many meaningful standards, UVM has transitioned from a small New England liberal arts focused college to a national public research university – a privileged member of the land-grant university system in the United States.

As I write this, I am just completing my first 100 days as Provost. I have used these first months to engage with the campus in as many venues as possible, meeting with groups in every College and School, and learning about the University of Vermont, its people and programs. This is indeed a remarkable community.