To everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Nipissing University, let me take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful upcoming year.  I am looking forward to serving as interim dean and to your support and encouragement as we build on our successes and navigate uncertain budgetary times.

In this blog, I hope to keep you posted on what Dave Hackett (interim associate dean) and I are up to and, more importantly, to share what  faculty, students and staff are doing as innovative researchers, committed teachers, and active learners.  I might also from time-to-time engage more abstractly with commentary on the “state of university education” in the Province and globally;  reflect nostalgically on Cardinal Newman’s thoughts on the idea of a university; or, direct you to interesting work elsewhere.  We shall see how this blog unfolds.

Over the summer, I will be meeting with each of the departmental chairs and co-ordinators to set priorities for the Fall. I will happily accept invitations to departmental meetings once they are scheduled.  I anticipate holding regular Faculty Council meetings in the hope that they can serve as another forum for the circulation of information and engaged discussion.

I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to wish Dr. Craig Cooper great success on his new appointment as Dean of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge. We wish you well, Craig!

Dr. Ann-Barbara Graff