May 15, 2020
Dear L&S Faculty and Staff,
I began this academic year acknowledging that I was honored to be the Interim Dean of the College of Letters & Science and that the true strength of the College is in its people. At the time, I thought I knew the extraordinary strength and resiliency of the L&S community; now, as the academic year comes to a close, in the face of unprecedented societal upheaval, I am awe-struck by the work that has been and continues to be done every day by you and our students.
None of us anticipated how the year would change. We could not have anticipated that we would complete the spring semester in alternate modes of delivery. I cannot imagine what we would have said to the thought that our graduating students would bring their time here on campus to close not in the Kohl Center or in Camp Randall. Nor could we have pictured our beautiful campus so absent of our traditional rites of spring, from the sunburst chairs at the Union to the students studying on Bascom Hill.
And yet, in this unprecedented time, we have all risen to the challenge. We successfully transitioned and then delivered our nearly 4,000 course sections in alternate modes. We celebrated the 2,600 L&S students graduating from our great college in a virtual commencement ceremony. And we have learned to work remotely, turning basements, bedrooms, dining rooms, and spare guest rooms into offices, while helping our own families, friends, and colleagues handle this difficult situation.
I know you have been deluged with information these past months and so, with this message, all I want to convey is, simply, my thanks. So, thank you. It is through your hard work and dedication that the College of Letters & Science continues to fulfill its mission of delivering a world-class education and research operation, and staying true to the Wisconsin Idea. It is truly an honor to serve as your Interim Dean, and this year has only reinforced my belief that you, our staff and faculty colleagues, are truly what makes this College great.
On, Wisconsin!
Eric M. Wilcots Interim Dean, College of Letters & Science Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy