Notes from the Dean: Summer 2019
Hello, Alumni and Friends of CAS!
I hope you are having a wonderful summer! The College has remained a hub of activity this season, with preview days for prospective students, orientation for new students, building renovations and projects underway, and ongoing coursework, internships and research experiences across our many departments and programs.
In late June we received the notable announcement of our new Chancellor-elect Dr. Debasish Dutta, who will serve as the eighth chancellor of UM-Flint effective August 1, 2019. In my early conversations with Dr. Dutta, I have been heartened by his clear commitment to the mission of UM-Flint and his passion for providing the highest quality programs for our students. I look forward to working with Dr. Dutta to advance CAS and the University of Michigan-Flint and you will certainly hear more about this in the future.
Along with a new chancellor, summer also brings us many new students. Summer orientations allow us to meet the newest scholars and families in the CAS community. CAS faculty, advisors, and staff come together on these days to welcome these future alumni, connect them with resources, and help set their first course schedules at UM-Flint.
While these students prepare for their studies, we continue our efforts to ensure they are provided with the best service and education. As just one example, I recently returned from a 7-day trip to Germany to strengthen our partnerships with two Universities – Bergische Universität Wuppertal and the University of Greifswald, where students participate in international research exchanges, internships in industry, and comparative teaching practice. I had the good fortune to meet and interact with 11 UM-Flint students who were spending their summer in Germany and they were definitely soaking in the opportunities to learn about new cultures. This summer saw a group of UM-Flint pre-service teachers visit Greifswald and the coming year will bring additional German students and faculty to UM-Flint for conferences and study.
In May, construction began in earnest on our long-awaited addition to the Murchie Science Building. While the construction has certainly altered pedestrian and automobile traffic on the East side of campus, closing the circle drive between the Recreation Center, the University Center, and the Murchie Science Building for the duration of the project, we cannot wait to see the building materialize. We are already planning for innovative teaching and learning opportunities that the new facilities will provide. We are slated to occupy the building in the next 15-16 months, with classes expected to be scheduled there beginning in January 2020.
As we look forward, Go Blue on the Bricks takes place on Friday, August 16, from 6-9 p.m. on the University Tower patio (formerly the First Merit Bank building) during the Back to the Bricks Cruise ‘n’ Concert. I will certainly be in attendance and look forward to seeing you at this celebration of the Maize and Blue and our city of Flint.
Have a great rest of your summer, and thank you for your continued support of the College of Arts & Sciences!
Sincerely,
Susan Gano-Phillips
Dean, UM-Flint College of Arts & Sciences
