As I look back over nine years as dean of the college, CLArion is among my favorite creations. As Marty, Crystal, and currently Whitney have developed the look and content of CLArion; the college now has a stylish, informative annual publication that celebrates the work of CLA students, faculty, and staff. The college itself has also undergone renovation. Today, Cina Hall is the signature building of CLA, its beautiful first floor design a reflection of the Indigenous lands upon which UMD sits. The college additionally has new research space in Kirby Plaza. If you haven’t visited the new Communication Research Lab, do so this spring. Many areas of the college have updated seminar rooms, new facilities like the COIL lab in Humanities, and updated office space, including the Dean’s Office renovation. Our annual celebration of honors and awards now fills some of the largest ballrooms in the city. The full attendance is a tangible reminder of the many new scholarships our University of Minnesota Foundation development officers have established in CLA. When this decade is over, our development officers will be celebrating record growth in the number of endowed Foundation funds that support the CLA community.
The first issue of CLArion was a collaborative project of members of the Dean’s Office. Development Officer Adam Meyer, CLA Technology Director Peter Angelos and his staff member Dan Lackore, and others (I did some of the writing and copyediting) helped create the initial newsletter and format it with the help of ShelDon designers. Dr. John Schwetman (English) won the naming contest (I think a gift certificate to Sarah’s Table), and from that inaugural edition, a college newsletter grew. I remember that a blue and white color scheme defined the issue, and the CLA acronym looked like a VW Bug. The next year, we had our first editor, Marty Sozansky, and the rest is history. Today, the arrival of the year’s CLArion is part of the year’s cycle in the college. In just a few years, CLArion marks a decade.
In the 30 plus years of CLA history, I am currently the second longest serving dean, after Dean Linda Krug. I have been able to build upon her accomplishments and innovations and add new dimensions to CLA’s history. The strong team in the CLA Dean’s Office is ready to serve my successor. Serving as your dean has been the honor of my career. I am already beginning my transition back to faculty, thoroughly enjoying the course in Nature Writing that I am teaching, and packing up my office. I embrace this change and know that new leadership brings new opportunities.
Susan N. Maher
Dean