DEAR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS: It is with great pride that I share with you this inaugural issue of our Arts & Sciences Magazine — a showcase of the incredible work of our faculty, students, staff and the spaces in which they teach, write, research and create. In the following pages, you will see why the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest academic unit on campus, truly is the heart of the University of San Diego. This past year has been exceptional for the College of Arts and Sciences, with classes traveling to Japan as part of the Chapman Family Foundation International Program and to Death Valley to study the Desert Sublime. Experiential and interdisciplinary learning continue to be integral to our educational vision in the college, as our students benefit tremendously from examining subjects through multiple lenses. Echoing the words from the university’s new values statements: “We value the complexity of the human mind and strive to optimize the intellectual potential of every learner.” I feel confident that our students are being prepared for exceptional experiences and careers after graduation.
message from the dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences
The college is delighted to announce the expansion of its academic advising and undergraduate studies space. We have formed the new College Academic District in Founders Hall, connecting rooms 117 and 114. This central hub for students provides, among other resources, pre-professional advising and first-year experience coordination. We enjoyed celebrating its grand opening in September with our entire campus community. Our highly acclaimed faculty members have proven their excellence time and again as they continue to earn prestigious honors, research grants and fellowships. Notably, two of our visual arts faculty members had the honor of being selected to paint one of the murals for the LA Metro. Additionally, another faculty member is on the verge of completing his second book of poetry — a testament to the creativity and intellectual prowess that thrives within our institution. It is the combined passion, effort and achievements of this incredible community of faculty and students that truly sets the college apart and fuels our commitment to excellence. As the university approaches its 75th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on how much we’ve grown since 1949. The stories in this magazine showcase how the college connects students with important ideas, foundation in the Catholic intellectual tradition and groundbreaking concepts that transcend disciplinary boundaries and prepare them to go out and change the world. Enjoy this first edition. I look forward to preparing the next set of stories for the second.
Noelle Norton, PhD Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
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Fall 2023