The First-Year Reading for UVM students this year, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, challenges us to think beyond what we know about human health and healing, to open our minds to cultures and cultural beliefs vastly different than our own, and to consider that western medical practices and beliefs – while grounded in science – may be even more effective when practiced in parallel with the healing practices and beliefs of other cultures. But perhaps more than anything, this book looks carefully and critically – with compassion but without bias – at some of the greatest challenges and cultural failures of our society, those surrounding the practice of medicine and healing.
Writing
July 2015
“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).
February 2015
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.
Celebrating the Humanities at UVM
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. This week’s release of Humanities, a beautiful new publication of the UVM Humanities Center, is just such an occasion and I intend to take full advantage of it!
Humanities describes many of the exciting activities underway in the humanities and fine arts and demonstrates the rich diversity of scholarly productivity, creative works, and high-impact teaching and learning taking place at the University of Vermont.
Recapturing the Narrative on Cost and Tuition
Adapted from remarks at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), Orlando, FL.
National four-year public universities have, per student, increased tuition revenues by less than they have lost in state appropriations, while simultaneously keeping educational and related expenses flat (over the period 2006-2011, adjusted for inflation). In other words, public universities are receiving less support from their states, and are not relying on increases in tuition to make up for this decrease in state funding. All universities are taking steps to reduce expenses and contain costs.
Academic Excellence Goals Narrative (September 2014)
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.
September 2014
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.
May 2014
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.
February 2014
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.
November 2013
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.