Dear UVM community,
Spring is a time of new beginnings, and I was so inspired by yesterday’s National College Decision Day and hearing all the great stories of young people celebrating the exciting next chapters in their lives—especially those who are coming to UVM to join our Catamount community! I can still remember when I first found out where my own college journey would begin, and the mix of excitement, nervousness, and hope for the future that I felt. Our incoming Class of 2029 is a talented group of future researchers, leaders, and accomplishers of great things—and we, as a community, will help them realize their potential to change the world for the better.
Academic excellence is all around us, as our 2025 University of Vermont Faculty Awards were announced this week. This year’s awards celebrate 12 distinguished faculty members who have demonstrated not only exceptional teaching and advising, but also outstanding community engagement. The university is truly fortunate to have such talented faculty so deeply committed to helping fulfill our public land-grant mission and shape the difference-makers of tomorrow. I’d like to offer my sincere, heartfelt congratulations, and thanks, to this year’s faculty award winners.
With the semester winding down, members of our campus community have already started focusing on logistics for the upcoming ’25-’26 academic year, including off-campus housing. University Commons at Catamount Run is a new off-campus housing option for qualifying UVM undergraduates that will be opening this summer. Students can sign leases now for these beautiful, modern apartments within close proximity to campus and lots of shopping, dining, and other amenities available. University Commons is the latest example of UVM’s continued commitment to helping address the housing shortage in our community.
Important conversations continue around federal actions and their impact on our university and higher education nationwide. This week, a Research Resilience webinar gave insight into engaging with the UVM Foundation to help support and amplify the important work being done across campus. Also this week, our Office of International Education (OIE) hosted an online information session to help faculty advise international students and employees on what OIE and others are doing to support them. UVM’s Faculty Affairs and Our Common Ground operations groups will co-host an in-person discussion for faculty on academic freedom next Thursday, May 8, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Mildred Livak Room at the Davis Center. These events continue to drive important dialogue that helps us process, understand, and prepare for changes together.
As classes draw to a close and finals are fast approaching, it’s especially important for all of us to manage our schedules and make time for self-care. University Housing and Dining Services and the Department of Student Life will co-sponsor a Late Night Breakfast on Tuesday, May 6, on the first floor of the Davis Center starting at 9:30 p.m. Nourishment for the body and brain will be on the menu, with a nice spread of food (including a donut wall!), a Pub Quiz, and other activities. I will be there, as will many of the deans of our schools and colleges, serving food for our students. The breakfast is part of a full slate of events to end the academic year—take advantage of them!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and feels a lift in spirit from the gorgeous weather we have had this week, and the experience of being together and celebrating our accomplishments as a campus community.
Warmly,
Patricia Prelock
Interim President