I've cut and pasted a letter that came in today from President Thomas. Professor David Sousa was one of four faculty who helped craft a successful grant application that will allow our school to offer more sabbaticals to junior faculty. This is important not only because it gives younger faculty a chance to work on research projects early in their careers, but it also makes Puget Sound more competitive in attracting the best teachers possible. So thanks to Professor Sousa and all those who worked hard to make this happen.
Dear Members of the Campus Community:
I am very pleased to announce that we have received notice of the Mellon Foundation’s approval of a $747,000 grant to Puget Sound for a three-year period to support additional junior sabbatical awards. This grant is a tremendous early commitment to our comprehensive campaign, a strong encouragement and enrichment to the teaching and research lives of our junior faculty in particular, and an impressive platform from which to seek $2.5 million in new endowment for junior faculty sabbaticals in the campaign. Enhanced funding for faculty development is a priority for us that will make the university an even more vital and intellectually challenging liberal arts institution.
All of us at Puget Sound constantly seek ways to strengthen the academic program, create a richer educational environment for students, and develop an institution that continues to attract and retain the most accomplished faculty and outstanding students. Appreciation is due to Professors Suzanne Holland, David Sousa, Alexa Tullis, and Harry Velez-Quinones for their work in preparing a document in support of junior faculty leaves that provided the foundation for the grant proposal crafted this summer by Kris Bartanen and Jane Kenyon...
With my congratulations and thanks to all,
- Ron
