Inaugural Wishes

1 September 2015

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to write to you on this important day to send my wishes for your success. Beginnings are auspicious. In a narrative text, the beginning introduces characters, poses enigmas, and evokes the tensions that the rest of the text develops.

Beginnings are crucial for setting our expectations as readers. We judge the success of the text against the expectations that energized our reading from the start.

In life, we follow a similar dynamic. Beginnings are more than ceremonial milestones. They are occasions for collectively setting our intentions. We make the future become present as our actions turn aspirations into reality.

Today, the world is small, interconnected through technology. The abilities to understand, analyze, express, and persuade have never been more important. Yet many do not appreciate the value of carrying out these skills across the boundaries of different languages and cultures, of deeply comprehending the cultural insights encoded in literary and cultural texts. This is all knowledge that our world desperately needs.

Since the mid-­‐20th century, the departments of languages, literatures, and cultures at the University of Kansas have been at the forefront of teaching and research that strive to fill this need. You are part of a heartland tradition that transmits these skills. For decades, as KU faculty you have been making a difference. Through the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures you can make an even greater difference through new visibility and new collaborative opportunities.

I applaud you for making time today to pause, recognize what has been accomplished, and look ahead to the future you are creating. I wish you clarity of intention as you mark the beginning of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Imagine clearly the impact of your humanistic knowledge for preparing leaders, for building communities strong in respect and understanding, and for sharing discoveries about cultures and identities that will change the lives of future generations.

I send you my wishes for success as my cherished friends and colleagues, as teachers, as scholars, and as ambassadors for the contributions that the Humanities can make for changing our world.

Sincerely, Danny Anderson