From left, Madison Sloat, president of the Student Senate; Joseph Shields, interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences; Dave Scholl, chair of the OHIO Board of Trustees; M. Duane Nellis, president of Ohio University; Chaden Djalali, OHIO Executive Vice President and Provost; Stephen Bergmeier, professor and chair of Chemistry & Biochemistry; and Maria Modayil, president of the Graduate Student Senate.
By Dr. Joseph Shields
Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
I am pleased to convey my greetings as Ohio University begins another academic year. Having been a faculty member in the College of Arts & Sciences for 22 years, I am honored to serve in this transitional period as its Interim Dean.
The year got off to an exciting start with a groundbreaking for a new Chemistry Building. This structure will provide a much-needed modernization of space used for research and teaching by the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department. The new three-story, 66,000-square-foot structure represents the first phase of a larger project that includes renovation of existing space in the adjacent Clippinger Labs for use by the current occupants.
At the annual Board of Trustees Retreat in August, I had an opportunity to lead a discussion on the role of the liberal arts at the university. It was gratifying to hear members of the board as well as other deans expressing their enthusiastic commitment to the college’s mission of introducing students to new ways of thinking, asking questions, communicating, and relating to others. While career and employment prospects remain an important consideration, the trustees and others gave voice to the value of a liberal arts education in all dimensions of life, and its fundamental role in enabling discourse and responsible citizenship.
A conversation such as we held at the Trustees Retreat invariably leads to discussion of examples drawn from our alumni. One of the pleasures of serving as Interim Dean is the opportunity to meet alumni like you from the college and hear how you have used your Ohio University experience through the course of your life and career. These stories in turn have great value as I speak with current and prospective students and their families and answer the perennial question, “What can I do with a degree from the College of Arts & Sciences?”
Answers to this question are more convincing when they are provided directly by someone who has lived this experience – by alumni from the college. This is one of the important reasons we are so glad to connect with our graduates, hear your stories, and provide opportunities for you to interact with our current students and faculty.
I encourage you to stay connected with the college and to share your knowledge and experiences. If you are able to join us for Homecoming this year, please stop by the Arts & Sciences tent in Tailgreat Park prior to the football game. For Homecoming visitors we also are excited to provide an early look at newly renovated Ellis Hall, which will be ready for occupancy later in the fall. In its new state, Ellis will remain a major hub of instruction and home for the departments of English, Classics & World Religions, and Philosophy.
Regardless of whether you are here in October, please send us your stories, and visit whenever you can.
From October 2018 Engage, the College of Arts & Sciences alumni newsletter.
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