Back to School

I’ve been at Penn a long time—as a student, faculty member, and dean. The start of the fall semester and the phrase “back to school” has always had a little magic to it, conjuring new beginnings and a sense of excitement and possibility. That has never been more true than in fall 2021. It’s certainly the case that the pandemic is not behind us. But the willingness of so many in our community to observe protocols, including wearing masks and undergoing frequent testing, is a powerful testament to their commitment to each other, and to the important work taking place on our campus. I’m tremendously proud of our students, faculty, and staff, and grateful that our campus has remained safe and healthy. And when I’m meeting with colleagues in person, or I see students walking to class, I feel a sense of gratitude and renewed energy for the future.

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That future is undoubtably brighter thanks to the Power of Penn Arts & Sciences Campaign, which concluded in June 2021. The support of alumni and friends is already having an impact in areas including student financial aid, faculty recruitment, and academic programs. Growing our faculty with scholars like Anthony Braga, a criminologist whose specialties include justice and public policy, and So-Rim Lee, a scholar of the politics of representation in visual cultures in South Korea and the Korean diaspora, means that our intellectual inquiry and teaching can be richer and more rigorous. We’ve been able to move forward with a range of exciting endeavors, including the launch of the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies and a new class of Making a Difference in Global Communities and Klein Family Social Justice grant recipients. And over the course of the campaign, we’ve created new ways for alums to engage with our faculty and each other, with lectures and mentoring opportunities available in person and virtually.

I’m thrilled to share more on the campaign’s impact and the return to on-campus research and learning. As you read about the incredible things our students and faculty are doing, I hope you feel a little of that back-to-school magic.