November, 2021
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students in the Klingler College of Arts & Sciences,
For what and for whom are you thankful? The month of Thanksgiving is a time to reflect
upon reasons for gratitude. I am thankful to work alongside such a talented group
of researchers across the College. Our Celebration of Research on November 9, featuring over 75 posters that filled a ballroom in the Alumni Memorial
Union, was a powerful testament to your insight and creativity. Additional reasons
for gratitude are highlighted in our just-released 2021 issue of A&S magazine. It amply demonstrates the excellence and impact of your research, teaching
and community engagement. Thank you! The magazine, including a downloadable .pdf,
is available on the college’s website.
Much of the work carried out by Arts & Sciences faculty, staff and students aligns
with the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus. They include a call to walk with the excluded and to care
for our common home. This call includes responding to persons who suffer as well as
our ailing planet. Pope Francis this month offered a prayerful expression of compassion
and support for those who are burned-out or otherwise struggling. This month has likewise drawn
a global focus on the urgency of taking action through the 2021 United Nations Climate
Change Conference. This came as Marquette was honored as a Green College by Princeton Review, reflecting the university’s commitment to the sustainability
of valuable resources.
Sustainability and related themes have been front and center in our ongoing conversations
about visioning for the future. The November meeting of the A&S Dean’s Advisory Council
was especially lively. We discussed strategic planning, student success and a newly
reconfigured curriculum committee. What has emerged through months of conversations
within this group and far beyond—conversations that have included many of you—is that
there is broad consensus about the strengths and aims of Arts & Sciences at Marquette.
What is needed now is twofold. First, a concise statement of our vision for the future.
Second, specific tactics, goals and metrics that will enable us to assess our progress
toward realizing the bold future we dream about. Again this academic year, the College
will host a virtual, optional half-day New Year Workshop for faculty and staff. This
year’s workshop will occur in the morning of Friday, January 14, 2022. Details are
forthcoming. Let me know in the meantime if you have questions. We are also seeking
more structured ways to elicit ideas and feedback from students.
Related to the work of visioning and planning, another source of gratitude is our
College Leadership Council (CLC). This is a group of committed alumni and benefactors
who provide advice and crucial support for A&S. The CLC had a wonderful meeting this
Fall. Highlights included a report by Dr. Amber Wichowsky (political science) about
the Civic Dialogues project and feedback on strategic planning. I am likewise so grateful
to our A&S Time to Rise Campaign Committee, which met this month. The role of the Campaign Committee is to
guide the College as we seek to fulfill our fundraising goals. I’m thrilled to report
that we have already raised 83% of our A&S campaign goal. What a testament to the
excellent work you are all doing and to the strength of our benefactors’ belief in
the bright future that lies ahead! Truly yet another reason for thankfulness.
I recently had the chance to learn more about gratitude from Dr. Ed de St. Aubin (psychology),
an expert in positive psychology. He and I met this month with the current cohort
of the Ignatian Pedagogy Program (IPP), thanks to the kind invitation of Dr. Jen Maney,
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). We encouraged participants
to consider committing to a thankfulness practice. The CTL’s Ignatian Pedagogy Tips
for faculty may be found here. This Ignatian Year provides a perfect opportunity to think more deeply about how we embed such practices
in our work and in our lives.
Once again I invite you to consider, during this month of Thanksgiving and always:
for what and for whom are you thankful? Take some time to reflect upon the question
and then to express your gratitude to those who support, encourage and accompany you
on your journey.
As always, please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or suggestions. I appreciate hearing from you and exploring
ways we can all work together for the common good.
Dr. Heidi Bostic Dean, Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
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