Welcome back to the Fall semester.

I hope you enjoyed the summer and had the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends. Some of you may have simply enjoyed the chance to immerse yourself in research, writing, and other professional activities. I hope upon returning, you will be refreshed, excited, and ready to participate in furthering Iona's goals for academic excellence and intellectual inquiry.

As the first week of the term concludes, I want to wish you the best and encourage your engagement and participation in the variety of intellectually stimulating events and activities on and around campus. To that end, I invite you to review some items that are highlighted in this A&S newsletter, detailed below.

A Note on Faculty

The heart of the work we do is the investment we make in our students and the faculty we engage to mentor, instruct, and guide them. There is nothing more important that we can do as an institution. This year, the School of Arts & Science is honored to welcome gifted faculty as members of the class of 2012-13.  View new faculty »

Dr. Malissa Leipold is serving as faculty mentor for our new junior faculty members, and we know that they will receive the care and support needed to ensure a successful transition to the Iona community.

This year we also welcome two first time departmental Chairs; Dr. Daniel Thiery, History, and Dr. Robert Petrausch, Mass Communication.

Finally, as we welcome new faculty and Chairs, it is always important to remember those who are no longer with us, including one of the first women to serve on the A&S faculty. Professor Alice Branagan, Assistant Professor of Music, served from 1959 until her retirement in 1979 as Professor Emeritus. She passed this summer at the age of 102.

Highlights

I would also like to bring your attention to the following:

• Food For Thought: A&S Faculty Lunch Series – JOIN US!
  The Dean's Office has joined with CELTIC to co-sponsor a series of faculty lunches.
• The International Conference of Thomas Paine Studies
  This October, Iona College will host a gathering of national and international scholars for presentations and discussion on the life, legacy and ideas of Thomas Paine.
• Faithful Citizenship Series
  The series is grounded in the principles of religious freedom, political participation and the understanding of our nation's challenges as both political and profoundly moral.
• Interdisciplinary Program in Environmental Studies
  This fall we launched our new Environmental Studies undergraduate degree, the first interdisciplinary program of its kind in A&S.
• Congratulations: Professional Accomplishments & Personal Milestones
  Please take a look and join me in congratulating the numerous faculty across the school on their professional accomplishments and personal achievement over the last few months.

As always, please feel free to email, call or stop by if you have any questions. Starting next week, I will hold open office hours every other Friday 11 am – 12 pm. Please contact Marie Pace to schedule an appointment (mpace@iona.edu).

I wish you all a productive and successful fall semester.

Warmest regards,
Jeanne