Dear Students, Faculty and Staff—
I hope that you all are having a nice summer, and that your hopes for productivity and/or relaxation are being realized. I have certainly come to appreciate the amazing summer weather in New Hampshire!
We have added three new members to the UNH Executive Committee (EC), which is the university’s senior leadership team. The new members are Ken Holmes, senior vice provost for student affairs; Marian McCord, senior vice provost for research, outreach and economic engagement; and Bill Poirier, chief information officer. Adding these individuals to the EC reflects both their leadership ability and the importance of the areas they represent to the success of UNH. Congratulations Ken, Marian and Bill!
As much as we wish COVID were behind us, we continue to see new infections locally and nationally. We are currently drafting our COVID policies for the fall and we will have more information to share with you soon. Here are links to two articles describing important COVID-related research conducted by professors at UNH on drug repurposing and variants.
Thanks to everyone who came to the recent ice cream social in Durham. It was great to see so many people turn out. I will look for more opportunities for this kind of informal get-together.
Consistent with our Embrace New Hampshire strategy, we are in the early stages of planning a bus tour around the state for the fall semester. The objective will be to share with some of the citizens of New Hampshire the great things that are going on at UNH. Funds for this tour were provided by an anonymous donor, to whom we are very grateful.
Along with Provost Wayne Jones and Senior Vice Provost Kate Ziemer, I recently met the new Student Body President Emily Dennison and Vice President Dina Rathke. Emily and Dina asked some great questions in our first meeting, and we are all looking forward to working with them to continue to enhance the student experience at UNH. We also continue to enjoy working with Graduate Student President Caroline Kanaskie and Vice President Karla Oñate Melecio, who very effectively represent UNH graduate students.
Finally, thanks to everyone who has worked with our summer campers, who seem to be having a great time, and to those who are getting our campuses ready for the fall semester.
With all best wishes,
President James W. Dean Jr.
P.s. If you would like to know what I have been reading.
