| Hello UMD Faculty and Staff - I’ll begin my first communication to all of you with a big heartfelt thank you to the chancellor’s search committee who found themselves working beyond the original schedule with tight timeframes and busy calendars. Thank you for your support, time, and your commitment to UMD. When I first ventured onto this campus as an incoming student in August of 1979, I could not possibly have imagined how consequential the next four years of my life would be and where my UMD experience would lead me. When I walked across the stage in Romano Gym during Commencement in May of 1983, I still had no real idea about the long-term plan for utilizing my UMD degree. I do know I was very grateful to several economics professors who helped me secure a one-year appointment as a research fellow with the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) but beyond that, I wasn’t sure what opportunities my UMD degree would ultimately create. So, almost four decades later, it is with the deepest sense of gratitude and the greatest honor that I now find myself sending this note to all of you as UMD’s interim chancellor. Since I finished my time with BBER back in 1984 and headed to the Twin Cities to pursue my law degree, I have never drifted far from UMD, Duluth, and Northeast Minnesota. During my years in business and governance service (including many experiences that are part of or in close partnership with UMD), I’ve had the good fortune to see this fantastic campus grow and change physically and as an academic institution. And, until mid-June, I had the privilege and honor of serving on the U of M Board of Regents — where my understanding of, and passion for, this campus deepened immeasurably. As I begin my first week, I am getting up to speed with the leadership team and campus initiatives. Despite my familiarity with UMD, I have a tremendous amount to learn to successfully lead us into, and through, this transitional period. Learning starts with listening and I want to take time to listen and learn more before setting the agenda and priorities for the year. I look forward to learning about our campus through my new lens and building upon the great work that is already underway. I am confident in saying that we will continue to focus our energy on ensuring student success and supporting our students through their academic journey. As new students make their way to campus over the next few weeks, I am looking forward to meeting them and experiencing that contagious start-of-the-school-year energy. Our colleagues in Student Life have a wonderful Bulldog Welcome Week planned to help get our students connected and off to a strong start. Please mark your calendars and join me for the welcome breakfast held in the Ward Wells Field House on Monday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. Most importantly, I want to say that I look forward to working closely with our tremendous and talented team here at UMD! I’m excited to meet and work with you over the next two years. I know enough of you and your work to confidently state that it is our faculty and staff that make UMD the world-class place it is today. Thanks to Chancellor Black, we have a talented and experienced team of senior leaders in place. I’m grateful for the expertise they will bring to me and thankful that Chancellor Black is so committed to making this transition a good one for all of us who work, learn, teach, and live here. I also look forward to being part of President Gabel’s senior leadership team and working closely with her administration as we all move forward in advancing UMD and the University’s interests. I am looking forward to this new role and the academic year ahead. I hope to see you around campus soon. Sincerely, |
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c Dave McMillan UMD Interim Chancellor |
