Dear Faculty,

Awards season continues! This week I'm honored to announce two prestigious internal awards. Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, has been named a University of Vermont Distinguished Professor. This recognition is reserved for our most prominent faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to advancing knowledge in their disciplines.

I am also delighted to announce that Karen Benway, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, is the recipient of the President’s Distinguished Senior Lecturer Award. Senior Lecturer Benway is recognized for her inspired teaching, dedicated advising, and leadership in Statistics education. Please join me in congratulating these two outstanding colleagues and thanking them for providing our students with a world-class educational experience.

If you are looking for additional ways to enhance our student experience, please consider facilitating a Learning Community Book Discussion during Orientation on August 26. I have signed up as a facilitator and look forward to meeting members of our new first year class. Contact John Sama for more information or sign up here.

Many hands make light work on student Move-In Days, scheduled for August 24 and 25 this year. The Provost’s Office is fielding a team to support our Residential Life staff during this busy time. Move-In is also a wonderful opportunity to make brief but meaningful connections with students and their families during what can be a stressful and emotional time—especially for those traveling from across the country and abroad. If you can help, complete the Move-In Crew registration form by June 1.

As you finish up your grading, here is some information I wanted to share.

  • Please take a few moments to watch this video introduction from newly elected Student Government Association President Maddie Henson to learn more about SGA’s goals for next year.
     
  • Professor Allan Strong has been appointed Interim Dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Please join me in welcoming him to our academic leadership team.
     
  • The Office of Sustainability is developing a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan (CSP) that will outline short- and long-term goals that are achievable and that will allow UVM to amplify the work we already do. If you would like to offer input on the CSP, take this survey.
     
  • Early registration for the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity’s Summer 2022 Teaching Toolkit Program is now open. This month-long program offers a unique approach to crafting a course syllabus, refreshing your own teaching toolkits, and preparing and organizing for the start of a new academic term. Additional information on NCFDD, including instructions on how to activate your free membership, is available on the Faculty Affairs website.

Reminders and Recent Communications

In addition to the esteemed internal awards announced above, members of our faculty received 34 prestigious external awards during 2021 and early 2022. Our faculty were named Fellows in professional societies, and received Fulbrights, Guggenheim Fellowships, and awards from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

I am exceedingly proud of our faculty, and grateful that so many of you are getting the internal and national recognition you deserve. I am especially thankful that you include our students in your research, providing them with outstanding educational experiences.

This is also a time to say goodbye to colleagues and friends who are moving on. This week we celebrated the extraordinary contributions of Vice President Gary Derr, who is retiring, and Vice Provost Jim Vigoreaux, who is returning to the Biology Department. In addition, Dean Nancy Mathews has accepted a provost’s position at Central Michigan University. In lieu of a reception, Nancy invites you to participate in a fundraising challenge to support a Rubenstein School Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion Educational Fund to promote an understanding of environmental and climate justice. You can learn more in Nancy’s farewell video. Please take a moment to thank these special colleagues.

I look forward to seeing you at Commencement.

Warmly,

Patty