Messages
From Dean Meredith Woo

Len Schoppa Appointed Associate Dean for the Social Sciences

April 25, 2012

I am pleased to announce that Len Schoppa has been appointed Associate Dean for the Social Sciences. He will join the Dean's Office this summer. Len succeeds Karen Parshall who concludes a remarkable three-year term and will rotate back to her teaching and research at U.Va. Full text (.pdf, 256KB) (.pdf, 23KB).

New Internal Financial Model

April 18, 2012

Last week's town hall meeting was a great opportunity to talk about many important issues facing the College. We had a robust conversation on a wide range of subjects, including faculty compensation and sizing, transitioning through our faculty retirement surge, and addressing our key capital needs. Full text (.pdf, 181KB) (.pdf, 23KB).

John Hawley Appointed as Associate Dean for the Sciences

March 16, 2012

I am pleased to announce that John Hawley will be joining the Dean's Office this summer as Associate Dean for the Sciences. John succeeds Jim Galloway who concludes an extraordinary three-year term and will return to teaching and research. Full text (.pdf, 180KB) (.pdf, 180KB).

Planning for the Future of the College

March 15, 2012

This letter highlights the College's 2012-13 budget narrative. It will give you an overall perspective on the operation of the College, in four parts: Major Accomplishments, Uncommon Opportunities, Core Issues and Financial Calculus. Full text (.pdf, 115KB) (.pdf, 115KB).

Update to A&S Faculty

November 30, 2011

Dear Colleagues:
We had an excellent faculty meeting on Monday which included a very constructive debate on the merits and options for changing the credit requirements for a Ph.D. degree. The faculty ended up adopting significant changes and, in the process, exercised real faculty governance. Philip Zelikow also updated you on the progress of various graduate restructuring initiatives. You will hear more from him in the coming months. Full text (.pdf, 193KB).

Institute of the Humanities & Global Cultures

November 8, 2011

It's wonderful to be in this historic place to kick-off this important initiative. By the way, we are not gathered in the Dome Room by happenstance. This was Jefferson's library, his temple of knowledge… a site that speaks to the value of humanistic inquiry… of learning for its own sake. That, and they gave us a good deal on the catering. Full text (.pdf, 187KB).

Sponsors Soiree, Virginia Film Festival

November 3, 2011

It's my great pleasure to welcome you to the 24th annual Virginia Film Festival, and to thank you for your support of this program. Full text (.pdf, 190KB).

Physical and Life Sciences Building Dedication

October 21, 2011

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to join you to mark this important occasion.

From many vantage points in this building, you can see Scott Stadium, the site of so many thrilling football victories, including last week's win over twelfth-ranked Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers take the field again tomorrow against N.C. State, with a 4-2 record and momentum on their side. I secretly hope we'll see another wave of orange and blue pour down that hill behind the end zone, right past those signs that say "No Spectators Allowed on the Field." If I were 30 years younger, I might join them myself. Full text (.pdf, 361KB).

Meeting of Benefactors Society Board

September 30, 2011

Someone reminded me that, according to psychologists, about 70 percent of spoken material is forgotten one hour after it's heard. So to increase my odds of success, I'm going to try to follow the advice Franklin Roosevelt gave to his son, James, on making a public speech: Be brief, be sincere, be seated. Full text (.pdf, 204KB).

Mead Endowment Dinner

September 17, 2011

It's my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate a remarkable professor, his legendary devotion to his students, and a new group of talented teachers who are following in his footsteps. Full text (.pdf, 203KB).

Hunter Smith Band Building Dedication

September 2, 2011

Our founder, Mr. Jefferson, was a true Renaissance man: a lawyer, architect, philosopher, inventor, writer and horticulturalist: To that, I would add one lesser-known label: band geek. And at UVa, that's a term of endearment – a badge of honor. Full text (.pdf, 186KB).

South Lawn Dedication

October 26, 2010

Dean Woo joins with distinguished guests and donors to dedicate the South Lawn. More.

U.Va's 2009 Fall Convocation

October 22, 2009

Dean Woo addresses 2009 Fall Convocation. She congratulates University students receiving Intermediate Honors, noting the diversity of the class and also its excellence. Reflecting on history, she challenges students to lead the world into a new era. More.