January 8, 2021
Dear L&S faculty and staff colleagues,
Like most Americans, I spent much of the afternoon and evening of January 6 watching events unfold at our nation’s capital. Initially, I was curious about the formal proceedings of the certification of the November presidential election, but my curiosity gave way to shock as I watched a mob storm and take over the Capitol building where lawmakers were meeting to certify electoral ballots. As historians and news pundits quickly pointed out, this is the first time since the War of 1812 that a violent group has overrun the U.S. Capitol.
Reflecting on those events, as well as the many difficult events of 2020, reinforced my deep conviction that what we do here – our research, our teaching, and our service – is so vitally important. As the legislature re-convened after the mob had been cleared from the Capitol, I watched one senator after another, from both political parties, acknowledge that our country is facing deep challenges. The last ten months have proven that. The role of the College of Letters & Science at a great public research university is to address and offer solutions to those challenges. We are called to “…encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” At this moment in history we must, as Chancellor Blank has stated, “reaffirm the value of civic discussion and debate and affirm that facts matter and that there are ways to gather evidence and determine facts – that’s what sifting and winnowing is all about.”
We have also taken up an immense responsibility as educators. We prepare generations of Badgers to be life-long learners, to think critically, to understand this country’s history and its meaning, and to understand the world around them. Fundamentally, our work is so vitally important because a democratic society depends on citizens who carry with them the important lessons of the liberal arts education we provide.
In the midst of historic upheaval in our country, I remain hopeful. The work of this College, and of every school and college at this great public institution, is helping to build the path to a better future for all. We must continue to do what we do best: ask difficult questions, tackle hard problems, and have uncomfortable conversations civilly. Above all, we must embrace our serious, shared calling to prepare global citizens for leadership, productive service, rewarding work, and fulfilling lives.
On, Wisconsin!
Eric M. Wilcots
Dean and Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison