Dear Marquette faculty and staff,
I hope you had an enjoyable summer and that you were able to take some time to relax, recharge and spend time with loved ones.
I was fortunate to spend much of my time this summer getting better acquainted with campus. I learned a lot as I met with faculty and staff and visited classrooms, labs and other spaces that are now truly coming alive as our students fill campus.
The start of the academic year certainly remains an exciting time for me. I vividly remember my first time as a professor, 30 years ago, when I entered a large lecture hall, walked down the stairs and started to teach. Hundreds of students and dozens of TAs, some sitting on the steps, filled the room beyond capacity. The moment I took the front of the room and faced them, I thought, “This is the coolest day ever!”
No doubt many of you feel that same rush of anticipation and joy as our students — from freshmen to doctoral candidates — begin or continue their Marquette journeys.
For those of you starting your own Marquette story: Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you and learning from you. For those of you in the Division of Academic Affairs, I will keep you apprised of all the important things you need to know through regular Provost communications updates at University Academic Senate meetings. Additionally, I encourage you to read your Marquette Today emails, including President Ah Yun’s monthly “From the President’s Desk” column, and visit the website to remain up to date on news, events, feature stories and progress on university initiatives.
As we set forth and celebrate this new beginning, I wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect. In my brief time at Marquette, I see examples every day that illuminate what a special university this is.
I think about our Catholic, Jesuit mission and liberal arts foundation, lived out in every undergraduate student’s experience through the Marquette Core Curriculum. I think about the selflessness of our students, recognized for the third year in a row by The Princeton Review as the No. 1 university in the nation of engagement in community service — a particularly meaningful honor as it is voted on by and for students.
These are just two examples of what make me hopeful for our students’ future and Marquette’s future.
What makes you hopeful? I look forward to having that conversation with so many of you this year.
Good luck as classes begin!
Dr. Debbie Tahmassebi
Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
