Letter from the Provost and Interim President

Dear UM Community:

Welcome to a new academic year at the University of Maryland.

So much is new this year.  Seventy-five new faculty have joined our ranks, the most accomplished and diverse group of faculty to be hired in at least the past ten years.  Our new freshman class is the most academically talented and diverse incoming class in our recent history.  We have a new Honors College, a new Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, new I-Series courses, new study abroad opportunities, new facilities, and so much more.

Soon we will welcome our new president, Dr. Wallace Loh, and his wife, Barbara, and they will begin a new journey with us.  Dr. Loh's wealth of diverse professional and personal experience promises to enrich our community with new ideas and insights.

Dr. Dan Mote and his wife, Patsy, will begin a new phase in their lives.  For the past twelve years, they have dedicated their lives to making Maryland a better place, and because of that, a brighter spotlight shines on the University.  I extend to both of them our heartfelt appreciation.

At the request of Chancellor Kirwan, I will serve as acting president for the next two months until Dr. Loh officially begins on November 1.  During this time I will dedicate myself not only to carrying out the duties of the office and to preserving the continuity of leadership to the best of my ability, but also to providing support to our new president as he becomes acclimated to Maryland.  I will continue to serve as provost during this interim period, and we will continue to move forward with the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

As we begin a new era in our history, I look forward to working with our new president and you on our common goal of moving the University of Maryland to the next level of excellence.

Sincerely,

Nariman Farvardin
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
and Acting President