Eric M. Wilcots welcomed the newest class of College of Letters & Science students at Memorial Union Terrace this past September.
In the College of Letters & Science, we center our work around the Wisconsin Idea. This is the promise that the education and research at UW–Madison should have an impact that stretches beyond campus to directly improve the lives of citizens, benefit communities and inspire us all. As a land-grant institution, this is our mission, but as scientists and humanists it is our passion.
One major way that we put these words into action is by prioritizing curiosity-driven research. Our students, faculty and alumni are driven by questions of how and why. We seek to understand the natural world we inhabit, from the inner workings of the human body to the vastness of space. We think deliberately about how our brains run and how we as humans interact with one another as individuals and as societies. We care about how this exchange has changed the course of human history — and how that history was passed down, written and told. L&S research is also informed by thinking about our political systems and our cultures and the sometimes difficult truths this thinking reveal. As technology continues to shape the word and the way it operates, we look for the impact — both positive and negative — for society as a whole, but also its effects on the individual lives of workers, families and everyday citizens. This curiosity leads us down winding roads with unexpected discoveries along the way, as we pursue answers to some of life’s biggest questions.
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Our university is among the top research institutions in the world, and as a result, the campus is buzzing with inquisitive energy. Each year, Fueling Discovery celebrates the work done within this powerful research engine and the ways L&S researchers are making an impact. In these pages, you will read about the changing trends in aircraft turbulence, the power of quantum computing, the importance of understanding what’s in our groundwater and much more. Each of these faculty members are leaders in their field, driving change that will propel us toward a better future. You’ll also hear from students, who are studying everything from the gas exchange of plants to confidence judgments in early childhood. Seeing our undergraduate students in the lab doing hands-on research is especially meaningful to me, because it is these types of experiences that propelled me when I was a student. And the skills they learn here on campus will shape them as learners and leaders throughout the course of their life.
Students share their research with Eric M. Wilcots at the LASER Symposium.
This year’s issue of Fueling Discovery comes at a time when research continues to face significant headwinds. For 80 years, the federal government has been the primary supporter of this crucial work, bringing about scientific advancement through partnerships. The weather satellite technology we rely on every day was the direct result of one such partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and researchers in our Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. It’s discoveries like this that have pushed our society forward. But the landscape has shifted, and today that support remains uncertain. Still, we are resolute in our belief that moving research forward is crucial and necessary.
As the liberal arts college of a major research university, L&S is uniquely positioned to foster the kind of interdisciplinary research that leads to transformative discoveries. The work that happens here is possible because we embrace a broad, integrative approach to knowledge — one that values connections between the sciences and humanities. By fueling discovery today, we are investing in our future and that of our children and the world they will inherit.
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About the Dean
Eric M. Wilcots is the Dean of the College of Letters & Science and the Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy in the Department of Astronomy, his home department since 1995. Starting on May 17, he will serve as the Interim Chancellor for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As Dean, Wilcots has championed the value of a liberal arts and sciences education, prioritized the undergraduate experience and encouraged researchers to tackle the tough questions of our time.
