From the Provost
Many of you know that on September 1, I assumed the position of Provost of the University. As I turn over my office at 1918 Sheridan to Interim Dean Aldon Morris, I want also to express how grateful I am to have served as dean of Weinberg College for the last five years. It has been a continual pleasure to meet the College’s alumni —to share our vision for the College’s future and to hear your own reflections about the value of liberal arts in your own lives. That has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.
Your generosity and commitment to the College have allowed us to advance many of our ambitions. Groundbreaking new undergraduate programs like Global Health Studies, the Kaplan Freshman Humanities Scholars Program, and the Kellogg Certificate in Financial Economics have been well-received by students and applicants alike. Collaborations with the Field Museum of Natural History, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Art Institute have resulted in increased opportunities for both students and faculty.
The College has continued to attract outstanding faculty, including five who were named Board of Trustees professors, our highest accolade to those at the top of their fields. Dean Morris will be busy this year with searches to hire a team of scholars working in Middle Eastern studies, an important area in which we are committed to build. Other searches will target scientists working in exciting new areas of the life sciences and on the connections between biology, medicine, and society at large.
In my new role, I am eager to continue the partnership between the University and its alumni, as we strive to provide Northwestern students with a superior education and as the University’s reputation grows across the globe. Exciting times are ahead.
I hope many of you will have a chance to meet Aldon Morris, who brings both experience and wisdom to the deanship, along with a deep commitment to the faculty, staff, and students.
Dan Linzer