Dear students,
Welcome home, Catamounts! Though our work never stops at UVM, your return brings new life and joy to our beautiful campus. I am so happy to embark on this new year together and will look forward to all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the coming weeks and months.
This year marks an exciting point in UVM’s history. We have recently launched our new strategic plan, Green, Gold, and Bold, which reflects who we are and offers a pathway for our aspirations. The plan challenges us to lead with purpose, strengthen our academic excellence, deepen our impact, and build a university where every member of our community can thrive. Our students are central to that vision. Your curiosity, creativity, and commitment will help define Green, Gold, and Bold, as well as UVM’s future.
Last week, in my State of the University address, I shared many of the accomplishments that make UVM extraordinary. From groundbreaking research on cancer, language, environmental health, and technology to our students’ breakthroughs in debate, geoscience, and the arts, our university and its people continue to demonstrate the power of higher education to impact lives and solve important challenges.
This is so important as our complex world continues to evolve with blinding speed. The wicked problems before us will require your wisdom, your creativity, your leadership—and our community will help you be prepared.
To that end, we want to foster your best critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the free exchange of ideas. We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and the sharing of diverse experiences because those perspectives enrich our understanding of one another and contribute to the rich tapestry of our campus community. Powerful learning can occur when we engage thoughtfully and respectfully with ideas that challenge our assumptions and broaden our horizons. When we can do so, we strengthen our community and prepare ourselves to navigate the world beyond our beautiful campus.
UVM, its faculty, staff, and leaders remain committed to creating space for inquiry and discussion. Our leadership will strive to maintain the space for you to speak, debate, and inquire, rather than opining on every debate ourselves. We want to help ensure that all members of our community feel welcome to articulate their own ideas and participate fully in campus life. It is a principle that supports an inclusive environment where every individual can be heard, respected, and valued.
This year, I hope you will ask difficult questions, embrace new perspectives, build meaningful relationships, and contribute your talents to the world around you. Never forget that you belong to a university committed not only to excellence, but also to courage, innovation, service, and the open exchange of ideas that lies at the heart of higher education.
Welcome, or welcome back, to UVM. I am thrilled to see all we will accomplish here—together.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Marlene Tromp
President