A message from Dean Fernhall: Thank you
Dear AHS faculty and staff,
As a very difficult and trying year is coming to a close, I cannot help but reflect on what have we actually accomplished over the past year. Conducting our business, teaching, doing research and working with students has been extremely challenging for everyone, and now we are in another surge of COVID-19 cases. It seems like it will never end. However, there have been a lot positives over the past year, despite all of the difficulties and hardships.
All of our courses were taught, mostly online in the spring 2021 semester then mostly in person during the fall semester. You, our faculty, were able to deliver high-quality teaching in several different modes of instruction and our students were successful. Our student advising and ASAP program were going full speed helping our students achieve the best possible outcomes. For instance, our college had the best six-year undergraduate graduation rate at UIC, for the third consecutive year! Our research has continued, and we had one of our best years for securing new external grants. Our administrative offices remained open servicing our college.
Yes, there were many challenges but you were able to overcome those challenges!
I cannot begin to try to explain how grateful and proud I am of every member of our college! I hope you take as much pride in your accomplishments as I do. I also hope that you find the time and the mindset to enjoy the holiday season. This time of year is usually one of joy, hope and reflection on the good things in our lives. Although it may be a little harder than usual to see the positives this year, I hope you will be able to do so. I sincerely hope you can enjoy the holiday season and get some much needed rest.
Happy Holidays everyone and, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
See you in 2022!
Bo