Our future is bright
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As you might imagine, transition of a deanship overshadowed by COVID-19 is unprecedented in our lifetime. In spite of these circumstances, our ability to realize continuous progress is a testament to the competency of our staff and administrative team, the will of our outstanding students, and the steadfast commitment of our faculty. And don’t forget, we owe a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Jim Knittel for his generous and cogent interim leadership, especially in the midst of this pandemic.
So, yes, I can honestly assure you we are okay.
WNE is well known for its nurturing environment, civility, and strong sense of community. As a newcomer myself, I am pleased to independently ascertain that this impeccable reputation of WNE is well earned. For any of you considering the idea of joining us at WNE, you can be assured you will be embraced as a welcome member of this academic community. You will find a new extended family.
Sometimes people ask why I was interested in joining WNE as dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. They might suggest: Was it just our beautiful campus and facilities, and living in a part of the country the steeps in history, geographical splendor, and tremendous intellectual capacity? Well, yes, all of these things are undeniable, and were an important part of my decision.
But a more introspective analysis reveals much more. Such as small class sizes, faculty and staff who genuinely care, high pass rates on licensure examinations, strong residency placement rates, regional involvement with interprofessional education, a robust technology program that includes simulations, and high levels of student engagement in service, scholarship and research. As a testament to these claims, our faculty have been recognized by national teaching and service awards. It is also notable that our research programs have continued to grow, year-after-year.
These are some of the real reasons I am excited about joining WNE.
But perhaps most importantly, as you may know, the five-ton, nine-foot Golden Bear landmark of WNE was given the nickname Spirit by former football head coach Henry Bazan. I have found that the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is imbued with spirit—spirit that is pure and strong and lasting.
I am proud to be a part of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Although our programs are young, our bones are strong. We have established a solid foundation on which to build. Our success is undeniable. And our future is bright.
On the shoulders of those who have preceded us, we will continue to grow and strengthen our existing programs. At the same time, we will launch new and complementary degree and certificate opportunities, expand our research and scholarship, and maintain our core values. We will do all of this with your continued help, faith, and support.
Keep up the Spirit—it’s contagious in a good way.
Sincerely yours,
John M. Pezzuto, PhD, DSc
Professor and Dean