President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

When I asked the President’s Council before our annual summer retreat to reflect on their unit’s biggest accomplishments over the last five years for inclusion in a time capsule, I expected a standard report card.

Instead, I heard how a community, in the Marianist spirit, has risen to the occasion time and again with a can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and no small amount of faith. I was deeply moved by the way my colleagues tackled their homework assignment as a report on how well the faculty and staff are living out UD’s mission — together.

Rick Krysiak set the tone early in the evening during the 90-minute fireside chat at the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein.

“Is the $76 million renovation of the Arena truly a bigger accomplishment than the week we spent cutting and clearing debris for the tornado-stricken residents of Trotwood?” asked the vice president for facilities management and planning. “Is the construction of the new Adele Center to provide housing for our students ‘bigger’ than construction of our onsite solar arrays that reduce our carbon footprint, which ultimately reduces global warming?”

One by one, administrators and deans tossed an “artifact” in the middle of the room and shared its meaning. The pile included Roesch Library’s renovation plans and photos that illustrated how dean Kathy Webb and our librarians worked with architects to creatively transform a traditional library into a modern and inviting space for digital learning and collaboration. Amy Anderson, associate provost for global and intercultural affairs, shared a “This is Our UD” magnet in more than a dozen languages to symbolize how UD values inclusivity — and the gifts of all. Sam Dorf, president of the Academic Senate, presented the proposed major revision of the promotion and tenure policy that more closely aligns with UD’s Catholic, Marianist mission.

Other artifacts included signs of the times — “Face Coverings Are Required Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status” and a modern version of a Rosie the Riveter poster with the mantra, “Yes We Can!” Troy Washington, vice president for human resources, laid a rubber band in the middle of the floor to represent the “flexibility, adaptability and resilience” of the campus community during the pandemic. In the same spirit, Ali Carr-Chellman, dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences, presented Silly Putty. “It’s very flexible, and it bounces back. It also has a sense of humor about it,” she told colleagues. “I’m convinced we’re bouncing back.”

I brought the speech I delivered to the inaugural graduating class of Flyer Promise Scholars, who, by their very presence, are making us a better, richer, smarter, more creative, and more just university. Others noted major accomplishments, such as new enrollment and sponsored research records, and curricular innovations, including the first two new doctoral programs in 20 years and a transformed MBA that led to more online graduate degrees across the University.

All in all, the artifacts showed the power of what’s possible when people from every corner of the University work together, guided by the Marianist philosophy of education.

Molly Wilson, vice president for marketing and communications, brought a small chapel logo pin to place in the time capsule. “The chapel is always in the light. If we look up, we will see the light.

“The chapel,” she reminded us, “is our beacon.”