Dear alumni & friends,
The fall semester is officially underway, and we are excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to the College of Letters & Science. The start of the fall semester always brings tremendous energy to campus and a renewed sense of purpose to our mission. This year I am especially mindful of the importance of early research and discovery in shaping a student’s experience. In August, I had the pleasure of attending the LASER symposium — a celebration of the undergraduate scholars who spent their summer immersed in research through our Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program. It’s one of the true highlights of my year.
LASER is an exceptional opportunity designed for students in their first year at UW–Madison. Once accepted into the program, students enroll in a spring course on research design and methodology. That course prepares them for an intensive summer experience, where they join collaborative research teams led by L&S faculty, staff or graduate students. This year, 32 undergraduates completed the LASER program, spending eight weeks working in labs and research centers across campus, from physics and psychology to biology and the medical sciences. Since its launch in 2021, LASER has grown to include field trips to local companies, where students see science in action and meet peer mentors from previous cohorts to further promote student success.
And most importantly, we know this program works: Of the 48 students who completed LASER prior to summer 2025, 47 enrolled in STEM fields. We also have two cohorts who have now graduated from UW–Madison, with 80 percent of those students either working in STEM fields or pursuing advanced degrees in STEM or medical fields.
What struck me most at the symposium, beyond the depth of intellectual engagement, was the spirit of community the students had formed. I spoke with one of this year’s scholars, Nevaeh from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who shared how meaningful her experience has been, not just academically, but personally. Nevaeh spoke about the wide range of research happening within the cohort. “There are just so many different types of research that are happening,” she said. “Everyone can find something they love or are passionate about. It really gives us a chance to grow as researchers and young students.”
Programs like LASER show us what’s possible when we invest in early research opportunities and build inclusive pathways for students to thrive. They also remind us that world-class research doesn’t begin in graduate school; it begins here in L&S, when a first-year student walks into a lab for the first time and asks, “What if?” LASER is also a powerful reminder that an investment in research, whether from the federal government, industry or philanthropy, is an investment in people — our faculty, staff, and students who are doing the awesome work of discovery and innovation.
I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our faculty and staff mentors, and, most of all, the brilliance and curiosity of our students. Your support helps us foster meaningful learning experiences that shape lives and strengthen our academic community.
As we look ahead to a new year of discovery, thank you for being part of the College of Letters & Science — a place where stories begin, ideas flourish and futures take root.
On, Wisconsin!
Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison
P.S. If you would like to join the thousands of alumni, parents and friends who make our work possible, please visit supportuw.org/giveto/LSFall25 and make your impact today.