At times of transition, I like to look back and reflect. This habit helps me to focus my thinking on a few key reflections that define prospections of what comes next. The time since July 1 as interim president leading this incredible institution has been life-giving. I could brag about your long list of accomplishments. I could show you data that illustrate our institutional strength. I could describe my personal growth. Instead, I would rather share with you what stands out the most — the elements that have crystalized in importance.

There are five:

1. Conversations. As a community we have chosen to engage each other in important and sometimes difficult conversations around affirmative action; donor influence; actions the university can and should or can’t and shouldn’t take; our mission and purpose and how resources align or don’t yet align; how we live our values in a culture of engagement. The topics matter, and so too does our willingness to have the conversations.
2. Community. We highly value it. It is worthy of attention and intention.
3. Communication. It needs to be timely; it needs to be clear; it needs to be authentic — over and over again.
4. Resilience. As we have seen this fall, we are living in a time and in a world where people are horrifically attacked for their political views, for their religious beliefs, for gathering around a shared activity such as studying. At such times, we recognize and embrace the solace and strength that come from our community.
5. Gratitude. The power of recognizing someone’s work; the impact of saying thank you; the value of saying what matters. This can be the UD way.

These five are everything. We must and will continue together our work on these elements, driven by purpose and our vision for OurUD.

This vision includes joy — that is evident from the pride that defines who we are, the lists of simple joys you sent in, and the communities that we form within UD. Each of our individual joys and senses of belonging are what together make OurUD.

This is beautifully illustrated in this video created by The Egg, a student-led creative agency. Given the holiday session, we added a festive flair. An image from the video serves as our holiday card, shown above, and this video stands as an inspiration to all for all we aspire UD to be.

Here's the latest from around the Beat:

From Mobile, Alabama — What a game! Shout out to the players, Coach Carty and the coaching crew, AD Jordan, the athletic staff, the marching band, the spirit squad, and the flock of Blue Hen faithful. This is about so much more than a football season. It is about the power of belief and tenacity and showing the world who we are. All Hail to Delaware.

Thank you to all who came out to join the Prez Runs this semester — all together we covered 933.1 miles (301 runners X 3.1 miles – that is more than nine times up and down the state of Delaware) and took it on the road for runs in Boulder, Rome and Mobile. We will start back up at 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at Mentors’ Circle and continue each week. New in the spring semester: a sticker for first-time runners and a pin for runners who join at least three runs.

By popular demand, we will continue these community gatherings in the Spring:

• Our Monthly Zoom-Ins starting in January after we return from the holiday break. Dates and times are posted on the president’s page.
• Our 2nd Craft Circle, with date to be determined. I can’t wait to see the progress you have made on projects you were working on in November.
• Now monthly, our one-mile walk on campus. Look for information in the upcoming Jan. 1 edition of Prez Beat.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season full of joy, both simple and profound.

Yours in UD,

P.S. I can’t wait to celebrate together Our New Day #1 on Jan. 1, 2026.