With the final weekend of the Maryland State Fair in the rear-view mirror I feel like the events associated with the start of the semester have wound down. I think a good time was had by all at the Welcome Back Bash. Dane managed to give away the last of the IAA plants in the final minutes of the event. No small feat considering recipients had to pass a quiz to earn a plant. Heather had strong participation in bingo. The big attraction was the volleyball pit!
My department visits are also winding down with just a few more to go. I have enjoyed the conversations and wonder if we should do this each semester. Feedback is welcome; I know everyone's time is precious.
The calendar feels quite busy until finals week with meetings, work-related travel, a few weekends reserved for personal commitments, partner and donor related activities. I will miss a few important events. This year’s Parents Weekend, on September 26, is one of them. I hope many of our faculty and staff turn out to welcome the over 60 families, mostly of first- and second-year students, that have already signed up!
I mentioned the interviews have slowed. I might have spoken too soon by overlooking a few key ongoing searches. I am excited that most of our candidate pools are deep with talent. Over this past weekend I listened to an audio book about higher education that emphasized the importance of talent to achieve the academic expectation that faculty challenge themselves and each other to advance discoveries.
Have I mentioned that I am not a pleasure reader? The audio book was part of homework in preparation for an upcoming UMD leadership retreat focused on advancing bold ideas. Faced with the book we were provided, I pivoted and bought the audio version so that I could spend 4 hours listening to it while getting groceries, getting an oil change, preparing dinner, etc. I still have a 123-page document to read as part of the assignment and my own idea to prepare for presentation.
The exception to my position on reading is dossiers for promotion review. Later this semester I have a couple of weekends and evenings set aside to review these documents. I look forward to these times and learning more about the accomplishments of our talented faculty!
Perhaps we are turning a corner towards cooler temperatures and less humidity. Be sure to get out and enjoy the weather. Maybe strike up a volleyball game!
