From the
I
DEAN
n this issue of our College of Letters and Science magazine, we explore questions affecting Aggies near and far. From COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter to the California wildfires fueled by climate change, this has been a year of unprecedented challenges for the Aggie family. Last spring, the College moved more than 1,500 courses online for 25,000 students in just 10 days. We are offering remote learning again this fall. Our goal, in both instances, was simple: maintaining the continuity of instruction, allowing our students to make progress toward their degree, while keeping our community safe. The fact that we were able to do this during a global pandemic is a testament to our
faculty’s unwavering dedication to teaching excellence. Faculty and students in the College of Letters and Science have persisted in the face of disruptions to continue finding solutions to today’s big challenges, and our donors and alumni are rising up to support our community. Our faculty are on the front lines of COVID-19 research, and beginning on page 8, we investigate the psychology behind a pandemic. In “Mural of Remembrance” on page 7, we hear from an alumna whose mural in Minneapolis went viral online during the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death. On page 16, we highlight researchers who are studying caves to find clues to climate change. Our alumni are taking action to ensure student
success beyond the classroom, and donors like Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem are shaping students’ lives through philanthropy and the arts (see page 30). The College of Letters and Science, even in the darkest of hours, continues to shine bright. Our campus remains a beacon of what public higher education can mean for our state and the world beyond. Our Aggie spirit remains undimmed. I sincerely hope that you and your family are staying safe and healthy, and my thoughts are with you in these challenging times. Sincerely,
Ari Kelman Interim Dean
