Dear alumni & friends,
As the days grow longer and signs of spring begin to return to Madison, there is a sense of renewal and energy on campus. Our students lean into the work that comes with the nearing of the end of the academic year, whether it is preparing for a recital, completing those last assignments, or wrapping up a research project. It is also a moment to reflect on the many ways the College of Letters & Science continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students and of a changing world.
I also write to share some personal news. Beginning May 17, I will serve as Interim Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is an extraordinary honor to step into this role at a university that has shaped so many lives — including my own — and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. I am thankful as well for Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s thoughtful leadership and her steadfast commitment to our mission; she leaves UW–Madison stronger and well positioned for the future. While I will take on new responsibilities, my connection to the College of Letters & Science and to the people who make this community so special remains as strong as ever.
That spirit of forward momentum is evident in several important initiatives now taking shape across L&S. Among the most exciting is our expanding leadership at the intersection of the humanities, social sciences and emerging technologies in the field of artificial intelligence. This fall, we are planning to launch new opportunities for students to engage deeply with the ethical questions surrounding AI, including an interdisciplinary certificate focused on the ethics of data and AI led by our Department of Philosophy. Designed to complement majors across the College, this program will equip students to think critically about how technology shapes society, a perspective urgently needed in fields from public policy to healthcare and business.
At the same time, L&S faculty are helping lead a new humanities-centered artificial intelligence research initiative supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Center for Humanistic Inquiry into AI and Uncertainty will bring together scholars from across disciplines to examine how AI is transforming culture, communication, creativity and democratic life, ensuring that human values remain central as technology advances. These efforts exemplify what a liberal arts and science education does best: preparing students not only to innovate, but to guide innovation responsibly.
We are also preparing for a major milestone in the life sciences with the creation of a new Department of Biology. By bringing together expertise that has long distinguished L&S, this department will open new pathways for students interested in everything from molecular biology and genetics to ecology and environmental science. It will also position the College to lead cross-campus collaborations in the biological sciences, strengthening partnerships with colleagues in medicine, agriculture, engineering and beyond.
This moment also calls for a renewal of our commitment to civic engagement and democracy. L&S is a proud campus partner in the Wisconsin Exchange, a new initiative dedicated to advancing civil dialogue by cultivating a community where diverse viewpoints are expected, debated and respected. Colleagues across the College are developing a civics consortium that will expand opportunities for our students to deepen their understanding of civic engagement and public life. Together, our partnership with the Wisconsin Exchange and the growth of this consortium form the foundation of a broader democracy initiative, one designed to strengthen research on the core pillars of democratic society, engage students in the active practice of citizenship, and foster the skills of thoughtful dialogue and evidence-based decision-making that our communities and institutions depend on.
Taken together, these developments reflect a college that is both rooted in its values and boldly looking ahead. Whether preparing students to navigate the ethical dimensions of new technologies or advancing discoveries that improve human and environmental health, L&S continues to demonstrate the power of a comprehensive education grounded in curiosity, rigor, and a commitment to the public good.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership in this work. Your support sustains the opportunities we create for students and the discoveries that benefit communities across Wisconsin and around the world. I wish you a joyful spring and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead.
Eric M. Wilcots, Dean
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison