Bright futures

We had an incredible commencement weekend in May as we celebrated our Class of 2023 graduates and welcomed them to the University of Richmond’s dedicated alumni ranks. Many speeches highlighted how remarkable our university is and how well we prepare our students for lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership in a diverse world. It reminded me of how proud I am to be a Spider and how important it is for us to equip the students of today and tomorrow to engage and succeed, even and especially when faced with disruption and uncertainty.

In his remarks at the main commencement ceremony, Greg Morrisett, R’89, the Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech, spoke of disruption on the horizon from artificial intelligence.

“The AI age will have an even more disruptive effect than the era of the personal computer, the age of the internet, or even the industrial revolution,” he predicted. “Every sector, from finance to law, to medicine, to education, will be affected — and affected dramatically.”

For those still navigating the disruptions of the pandemic, such a statement could be disheartening. However, Morrisett also had reassuring news: In the AI age, many things will remain valuable and vital, including “critical thinking, design, creativity, humanity, morality … the key elements of a liberal arts education.” These foundational skills and values, which Morrisett has continually demonstrated in his work as an academic, are hallmarks of a Richmond education. I’m so happy he and his wife, Tanya, W’91, are Spiders.

Over the past year, I’ve been thinking a lot about the bright future of our university, our current Spiders and the classes to come, and what it will take to accelerate our upward trajectory. I am delighted to highlight our strategic road map forward: A Plan for Richmond. Thanks to the UR community’s hard, smart, and steady work, we are already building great momentum toward our plan’s objectives. We have also begun to develop metrics to evaluate our progress.

With strategic priorities for the immediate future now established, we will soon turn to comprehensive campus space planning efforts and philanthropic priorities. I look forward to updating you on how things are going and how you may be able to help. Your continued dedication, generosity, and support will propel our university to new heights.

We are grateful for your partnership as we shape Richmond’s future. And I am, as always, grateful to be part of our incredible university community.