October 16, 2026

Greetings Staff and Faculty of the College of Arts & Sciences,

 

It is hard to believe we are already approaching the midpoint of the semester. I know this is a busy time, and I want to take a moment to recognize how much our students, faculty, and staff have already accomplished this fall.

 

Homecoming Week was a great reminder of the energy across Arts and Sciences. I had the opportunity to host our Board of Visitors for thoughtful conversations about the direction of the college, including our work to develop an A&S Student Success Center. I also attended the Wallop Civic Engagement Program’s Open House and want to thank Wallop Co-Directors Jean Garrison and Nevin Aiken for their leadership of this important program. We also had terrific participation in the Homecoming Parade and the A&S Honors Convocation. Seeing so many students, faculty, and staff come together at these events is helping build an even stronger sense of community across the college.

This fall, I have also been visiting department meetings throughout the college. These visits give me a chance to share what is happening in the Dean’s Office, but just as importantly, they give me the opportunity to listen. I value hearing directly from you about what is going well, where there are challenges, and what you are seeing in your departments. I appreciate the candid and thoughtful conversations we have had. If I have not made it to your department yet, I look forward to visiting soon.

This week, I traveled to Cheyenne to speak with the Rotary Club about the College of Arts and Sciences. Conversations like this allow us to share the excellent work happening across the college while also listening to leaders and stakeholders from around Wyoming. Staying connected to the people and communities we serve is an important part of our mission.

As we head through midterms, thank you for all you are doing for our students and for one another. I know this can be an especially demanding stretch of the semester, and I appreciate the commitment and care you bring to the college every day.

Good luck with midterms, and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

J. Scott Turpen