Dear Faculty, Students, Staff, Alumni, and Friends of the University of Rochester:
When I was younger, the first day of school always filled me with a combination of anticipation and trepidation. I recall the excitement of a new year filled with new opportunities and new learning, combined with the knowledge that I was also about to encounter new challenges and new unknowns. It feels a little bit like the first day of school again.
As I embark today on the presidency of this complex and wonderful institution known as the University of Rochester, I am mindful of both its storied past and its bright future – a future I hope we will pursue together. I look forward to working with all of you to accelerate our momentum, developing clear strategic objectives; strengthening our commitments to inclusive excellence; and continuing to raise the University’s profile, locally and around the world. And I look forward to supporting you in your research, teaching, and learning; in your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit; in the work you do providing healthcare to an ever-expanding patient base; in our community partnerships and engagement; and in all the numerous ways in which this University changes and improves lives.
In the coming weeks and months, I will be on a “listening and learning” tour here on campus as well as with alumni and friends around the country. I want to know what you think is special about this place, and I also want to know where you think there are opportunities for improvement. I expect you will often find me out of Wallis Hall, because I want to meet you where you are. Even if our paths do not cross immediately, I welcome your thoughts and ideas, and hope you will contact me at sarah.mangelsdorf@rochester.edu. I may not be able to respond personally to each message, but I will read every one!
I am grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity to lead one of the world’s great research universities, and to have all of you as colleagues and fellow stewards of the University of Rochester’s mission of making the world ever better. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can, and if you see me out and about, I hope you’ll say “Hello!”
Warm regards,
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor
University of Rochester