Dear alumni & friends,
As another academic year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to congratulate the Class of 2025. This remarkable group of students has shown resilience, curiosity and a deep commitment to learning. As they celebrate the culmination of their UW–Madison careers at Camp Randall, they step into a world that needs their skills and their leadership more than ever. I have no doubt they will make an impact in their communities and beyond, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the years ahead.
Their journeys reflect the heart of our mission in the College of Letters & Science: to serve the public good through education, research and outreach. The research we conduct is meant to inspire, to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in our communities and to contribute meaningful solutions — locally and globally. This belief shapes everything we do, and it is why we continue to invest in the people and ideas that drive discovery forward.
At the same time, we must acknowledge the challenges that the College of Letters & Science faces. Federal funding for higher education and research remains uncertain, and as the landscape shifts, we must continue to advocate for the financial support that makes so much of our work possible. As the liberal arts college of a major research university, L&S is uniquely positioned to foster the kind of interdisciplinary research that leads to transformative discoveries. The work that happens here is possible because we embrace a broad, integrative approach to knowledge — one that values connections between the sciences and humanities. Ensuring that this approach thrives requires sustained investment in research and education.
One of the ways we highlight the impact of our research is through our partnership with the Wisconsin State Journal in producing Fueling Discovery, an annual special insert that showcases groundbreaking work from our faculty, staff and students. This year’s edition offers a glimpse into the breadth and depth of research happening across L&S every day.
Philosopher Annette Zimmermann explores the ethics of integrating AI into our daily lives, raising critical questions about fairness, accountability and trust in emerging technologies. Grammy-nominated folklorist Jim Leary makes the case for why Midwestern folklore matters — not just as cultural history but as a living, evolving record of our shared identities. And undergraduate researcher Alexandra Ugalde is tackling one of the most pressing health challenges of our time: Alzheimer’s disease. Her work demonstrates the power of research that is both locally rooted and globally relevant.
These stories — and so many more — underscore the vital role that research funding plays in advancing knowledge and discovery. Grants and research support enable faculty and staff to pursue transformative work, provide students with unparalleled hands-on experiences and ensure that we remain at the forefront of solving society’s most pressing challenges. The Wisconsin Idea — the notion that our work should benefit people across the state and far beyond — comes to life through the researchers whose work is supported by public investment.
I encourage you to explore Fueling Discovery online and see firsthand the incredible work happening within L&S. As we move forward, I hope you will join me in championing the liberal arts, advocating for robust research funding and supporting the students and scholars who make this work possible.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Letters & Science. I wish you a wonderful summer, and to our newest alumni — congratulations once again! We can’t wait to see where your journeys take you.
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/LSSummer25 and make your impact today.