Seize the Day, Then Let it Go

As I reflect on my decade as CASL Dean I am reminded of the song “Time” by Pink Floyd; “And then one day you find ten years have got behind you. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.” In many respects it truly feels as though the longer I served in this position, the more I felt as though I was just really getting started. But alas… I cannot tell you all how incredibly fortunate I am to have had the privilege of serving the college that helped to shape me into the person that I am today. It is almost incomprehensible to me how this transformation happened. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a life path. I am very much aware that I owe much of it to the faculty, staff, and my student peers here in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. It is my sincere hope that I am leaving the college, and its legacy of student focused and personal support in a strong position. The last ten years have been challenging, but they have also been fun and rewarding. The college: undertook efforts to enhance its operational efficiency; embarked on a strategic planning initiative; introduced new academic programs and retired others; built a vibrant study abroad program; introduced a new first year program (Foundations) for incoming students; consolidated our physical footprint in the CASL Building; opened its renovated Natural Sciences Building; introduced new high impact learning opportunities including mentored research for students; ramped up its efforts to highlight the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and students; dramatically increased sponsored research in the college; raised many millions of dollars in donor support, and is rebranding itself as a place where applied learning (Practice-Based Learning) is prioritized; all in the face of shrinking enrollment and limited financial resources. The college has also made many spectacular faculty and staff hires, all of whom fully understand and appreciate what CASL is all about and all of whom work diligently to ensure its continued success. I have also been blessed with the most incredible team in my office. I do not use the term “team” lightly here. To a person, they have been my partners in administering and planning for this very complex and diverse entity known as CASL. I hope that they know how much I appreciate them! Of course, we would not have been able to do the many things that we have done, or navigate the challenges that we have faced, without the support of you, the CASL alumni. I know how proud you are of your alma mater and how much you value the education that you received in the college. I am grateful to you all for your ongoing support and encouragement and for the inspiration that you’ve provided me over the last ten years. I cannot state emphatically enough how important this has been. I’m reminded of the Bob Seger quip from his great “Live Bullet” album recorded at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. During a musical interlude for one of his longer songs he tells the audience that ““I was reading in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine the other day where they said Detroit audiences are the greatest rock and roll audiences in the world. I thought to myself, shit, I’ve known that for 10 years.” I echo this sentiment because I’ve also known something for 10 years—that CASL is the most incredible place at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It has been a wonderful, amazing 10-year ride and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve you all!