From the Dean
Science Journal -- Spring 1997 -- Vol 14, No. 1
Dear Science Alumni,
In our professional lives, where we focus our energies so intensely on meeting one goal for the future after another, it is good occasionally to take a few moments to reflect on past accomplishments and present achievements. I would like to share with you such a reflection on the current status of our college.
As you know, the most telling measure of the quality of a college is the quality of its faculty. It is the achievements of the faculty that influence the top students to entrust their educational futures to Penn State. It also is the achievements of the faculty that influence research sponsors to support the outstanding scientific education we provide for our students by making possible their participation in our faculty's outstanding research programs as well as the new knowledge those programs produce. I assure you that we can be most proud of the quality of our faculty.
One measure of the position of our faculty relative to others outside Penn State is the level of support they receive for their research. In the midst of very trying and competitive times, during which research funds have been shrinking nationwide, our faculty have been remarkably successful. This year external support for new research grants and contracts received by our faculty was nearly 40 percent ahead of last year, and last year it was up by about 9 percent from the previous yearÑa rate that far exceeds both inflation and national norms.
The college also enjoys a superb reputation within Penn State. For example, we are the only college selected to receive four new faculty positions this year as a result of President Spanier's faculty enhancement initiative. These new positions will allow us to expand our faculty in high-enrollment areas and thus reduce class size.
In addition, during the most recent academic year, our faculty were honored with a number of prestigious awards, both from within and outside the University. Many of these awards are summarized beginning on page 14 of this magazine. This list seems to grow longer with every issue of Science Journal, attesting to the very high regard in which our faculty are held worldwide.
Not surprisingly, trends in our student population reflect the influence of our outstanding faculty. Our college has the largest proportion of University Scholars students at Penn State, and our undergraduate enrollments are continuing to increase, especially in the life sciences. Our students receive an education enhanced not only by our excellent faculty, but also by the superb facilities and programs provided by the continuing generous support of our alumni and friends. With your continued support, we are able to direct our energies to meeting the many goals involved in achieving the mission of our college: to advance the frontiers of science through the research of our faculty and students; to provide a superb, state-of-the-art education to our undergraduate and graduate majors; and to provide a firm foundation in the basic sciences to students from across the University.
I also must tell you that this will be my last message to you as dean,
as I will move to the University of
Maryland on June 1 to assume the position of Vice
President for Academic Affairs and Provost. I have thoroughly enjoyed
serving as dean of this great college and I leave knowing that it is in
excellent shape and that its future is very bright!