To the UConn Community:

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are recharging over the summer months. While many of our students and faculty are scattered throughout the state, nation, and world working, conducting research, or participating in internships, the work of the University continues here on our campuses as well: UConn is offering more than 1,400 different intersession courses this summer taught by 900 faculty with more than 8,600 students enrolled. Even during the summer, our campuses are always busy with activity, from open houses to summer courses and programs.

Our administration, together with faculty and staff, is beginning the long-term strategic planning process for the University. Student success, as always, is our No. 1 priority. Students will be part of the working group that leads the planning process, and together we will listen, understand, and act. We want to present the big picture and a path forward for UConn and ensure that we are maximizing the financial resources devoted to the education, health, safety, and well-being of our students.

As everyone enjoys their summer, I wanted to highlight some news items that came out in the weeks following commencement that you may have missed:

• In May, 11 UConn students were named Gilman Scholars. A prestigious and highly competitive program funded through the U.S. Department of State, recipients participate in study abroad programs around the globe and take advantage of intensive language study and internship experiences.

• In keeping with the school’s proud tradition of public service and community engagement, 12 students and five faculty from the School of Dental Medicine volunteered to organize a Special Smiles event to provide free dental screening for athletes at the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

• Last month, during a stretch of days when Connecticut’s air was choked by smoke from Canadian wildfires, UConn Health sprang into action and distributed more than 150 DIY air filters to protect indoor air quality for recipients. UConn is working on a number of initiatives to address climate change and sustainability at home and around the world. This includes cross-campus collaborations to support green initiatives, programs, and progress, as well as providing leadership and guidance on campus sustainability efforts.

• Also in June, Gampel’s wooden court — original to the 1990 facility — was replaced, and anyone who wanted to could own a piece of UConn history. And we continued to celebrate our April NCAA men’s basketball victory with five very special covers of UConn Magazine.

• The transformational, state-of-the-art Science 1 facility formally opened on the Storrs campus. If you haven’t yet had the chance to go inside, this video provides a fantastic virtual look.

• One of our most distinguished graduates made a dream come true for a Hartford high school student who is UConn bound. And an alum and his wife made a gift to the University in memory of his daughter that will create a new residential Wellness Community at UConn to help promote student well-being, including mental health.

• Three extraordinary faculty members were named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professors during the board’s June meeting.

• During that same meeting, a very special new puppy named Jonathan XV was introduced to the UConn community for the first time — and he’s adorable!

…to name only a few. At UConn we tell our story year-round, and as this video helps demonstrate, we always work to be champions in everything we do.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to seeing you in the fall, when we will welcome one of the largest and most diverse new classes in our history.

Sincerely,
Radenka Maric
UConn President