The title of this Prez Beat is a quote by Thomas Jefferson that speaks to me, as you can see from the photo that shows some of the shelves in my library.

I have been thinking about this quote recently, prompted by a gift from my neighbor (thanks, Carol): the book Reader, Come Home, by MaryAnne Wolf. The central idea is that as more and more of our reading is done on devices, our reading itself has changed — how much we read, how we read, what we read, and how things are written. She argues that we need to develop and preserve our capability for reading on devices and in books. Wolf discusses a task she assigned herself: to read uninterrupted each day from a book. It took her two weeks to recover what she calls her lost way of reading. I have a sense of what she means. While I read both on screens and in books, summertime is the season where I indulge. I love curling up, outside in the sun, book in hand, and letting some of the day pass while I lose myself in another world entirely.

At the end of the spring semester, I chatted with some faculty about this topic, and we brainstormed the idea of hosting a community read-in. Basically, everyone shows up with their own book, and we read alongside each other. Let’s try it. See below for dates and times.

Here is the latest from around the Beat

All are welcome to a Community Read-In. I’ll provide refreshments, snacks, comfy seating, indoors and outdoors, and you bring yourself, a book, and a commitment to an uninterrupted 30 minutes. Join us from noon to 1 p.m. July 15 and Aug. 19 at the President’s House, 47 Kent Way. We will take the first 15 minutes to get settled, read uninterrupted for 30 minutes, and then share for 15 minutes at the end.

Prez Runs continue through the summer, starting at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Mentors’ Circle. Also, Prez Walks happen at noon twice a month at Mentors’ Circle. All are welcome to join. See the president’s page for the schedules and updates.

You are welcome to our Summer 2026 AI Conversations. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with interest. We will host five in-person summer discussions to bring together campus perspectives on AI across teaching, learning, research, innovation, workforce development and operations.

The Summer Discussions will meet in person at the President’s House from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Session topics and dates:

• AI and Teaching — July 14 — Classroom use, academic integrity, guidance, and guardrails
• AI and Student Learning — July 21 — Durable skills, career readiness, and academic program evolution
• AI and Research, Innovation, and Workforce Development — July 28 — Discovery, translation, competitiveness, industry needs, and workforce alignment
• AI and Institutional Operations — Aug. 4 — Administrative modernization, efficiency, and faculty/staff support
• AI and Institutional Readiness — Aug. 18 — Monitoring AI progress, staying current, and adapting responsibly as the technology evolves

More information can be found on the president’s page. Those of you who have already expressed interest in participating will receive a follow-up email with more details. If you have not yet reached out but want to be involved in all or some of the conversations, please contact me so we can include you in the discussion details.

The Campus Culture and Engagement final framework is now posted. Thank you to all who were involved in the extensive conversations this past year, and to José and John for leading this effort. This work will continue with the implementation of the framework, which will be a critical part of the strategic plan.

I’m happy to introduce you to some wonderful additions to the UD team: John Cohill, who will serve as my chief of staff; Ellen Herbst, who will serve as Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration (starting July 1), and Greg Walters, Vice President for Facilities Services and Campus Planning, who started June 1.

Happy Summer!

Yours in UD,