College
Academic
Dear LAS faculty, students, staff, and friends,
As I reflect on this academic year, I am thankful to be a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UIC, thankful to serve as Dean of LAS, and thankful most of all for the people who make up this College. To the students attending classes, studying, and forming communities; the faculty teaching, researching, and serving; and the staff who make this place run: thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
We have had a full year with much to celebrate, as you’ll see in the accompanying photo book. A personal highlight for me was getting to perform a magic trick using math at Dr. Izzet Coskun’s Distinguished Professor lecture. And I remain incredibly proud of the faculty in the College, showcased not only by the Distinguished Professor lectures but also in the Faculty Research Bulletin and the LAS Faculty Research Symposia. That’s not to mention the many departmental events celebrating students and faculty alike: there’s never a dull moment in LAS. Your curiosity and ideas, passion and commitment are what make this college an incredible place to call home.
I especially want to highlight two extraordinary faculty honors that were announced recently: Dr. Barbara Ransby, the John D. MacArthur University Chair and Professor in Black Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, and History, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Nemat (Oliver) Keyhani, LAS Distinguished Chair in the Natural Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences, was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Their remarkable achievements speak to the excellence that is the hallmark of faculty across LAS.
While it’s important to recognize and celebrate our happy news, I want to acknowledge as well that it has not been an easy year for many in our community. The enduring effects of the pandemic, political polarization and conflict across the globe, and the consequences of climate change, to name just a few, are serious problems, and we know that many of you have been experiencing uncertainty, pain, and sorrow.
As I looked out over the sea of graduates at the LAS Commencement ceremony this past Sunday morning, I was reminded that there is ample reason for optimism, too. Our graduates navigated a pandemic and many other hurdles to arrive at this joyous moment, and they have been prepared by their LAS education to tackle the many challenges they will face and contribute meaningfully to the world. Seeing the joy spread across the faces of each of our graduates on the platform, it was clear to me that we have achieved something extraordinary as part of a shared community of support and care, dedicated to providing a transformational education to all who come through our doors.
To all of the newly-minted LAS graduates: we are incredibly proud of your achievement! I look forward to welcoming you back to campus as alumni. To our faculty and staff: thank you for your commitment to our students. And to our continuing students: thank you for being part of this College.
Wishing you all a restful and wonderful summer.
Yours,
Lisa A. Freeman Dean
WelcomingthenewLASDean
Sept. 29th, 2023.
Dr. Maria Krysan, Professor of Sociology, was all smiles after receiving her honor of LAS Distinguished Professor on Sept. 6, 2023. Dr. Krysan discussed her work with the “Folded Map Project,” which takes a scholarly approach to combating harmful narratives placed on Chicago’s South and West sides.
Historian and Professor Nicholas Doumanis was honored on Sept. 12, 2023, as UIC’s Foundation for Hellenic Studies-Illinois Chair in Hellenic Studies.
Dr. Yichao Wu, Inaugural TransUnion Professor and Mathematician, gives a scholarly lecture on functional data analysis and machine learning during the TransUnion Investiture Ceremony. The ceremony took place on Jan. 11, 2024.
LAS Distinguished Professor Izzet Coskun delivers his lecture, “Break and Count: The Art of Specialization,” on polynomial systems during his award ceremony on Jan. 30, 2024.
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UIC Black Studies organized students and faculty alike to participate in the annual Douglass Day event on Feb. 14th, 2024 at the Richard J. Daley Library. With the combined efforts of all the participating schools and organizations, they helped transcribe various communications from the notable abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass that are archived at the Library of Congress to be accessible for the next generation.
Leaders in the field of Drug Discovery gathered at the University of Illinois Chicago on March 7th for a day of scholarly discussion and lectures to discuss cutting-edge discoveries and innovation. The day was filled with scientific exchange and celebration of scholarship with the UIC community.
Alexander Adibekian, Ph.D.
Yury Polikanov, Ph.D.
Matthew Disney, Ph.D.
James Wells, Ph.D.
Dennis Liotta, Ph.D.
Paul Carlier, Ph.D.
Wonwha Cho, Ph.D.
Christina Woo, Ph.D.
Paul Hergenrother, Ph.D.
Brian Shoichet, Ph.D.
March 7th, 2 024
March 7th, 2024
LAS IT staff Anthony Briscoe, Ryan Hannigan, and Jason McKinney present during the UIC IT conference on “Onboarding & Offboarding | Empowering New Team Member | Sustaining Periods of Transition” on March 19th, 2024.
Students gathered at the Latino Cultural Center on March 28th, 2024 to participate in a zine-making activity led by artist Diana Solís and University of Illinois Springfield professor Hinda Seif. They were asked to consider what function a monument serves in its community and to ideate what a potential future monument could look like in Pilsen as part of the Pilsen Latina Legacies Project.
The annual Scholarship Luncheon was held on April 11th, 2024 and gave students the opportunity to speak with their donors and share stories of how their gifts have impacted their lives and education. It was a touching and beautiful afternoon filled with laughter, connection, and joy.
These donors span the breadth of professions - from film directors to leading scientistsbut they all share a similar passion for supporting young people pursuing their dreams at UIC.
Thank you to all the attendees for sharing this special occasion with us at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
April 15th, 2024
April 15th, 2024
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May 5th, 2024
