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October brought the sights and sounds of fall to 麻豆视频, with a month full of celebrations, traditions and opportunities for connection. From welcoming alumni back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, launching the new School of Engineering, to the changing colors of autumn, the 麻豆视频 community embraced all that the season had to offer.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from October through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

‘Everybody’

麻豆视频 Performing Arts presented “Everybody,”聽聽a modern adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman, one of the first recorded plays in the English language.

A transformational education

An opening celebration for the Roberts Academy, the university鈥檚 new elementary school for children with dyslexia, featured a special student performance on Oct. 2, and a ribbon-cutting with Marjorie and Hal Roberts, whose generosity helped establish the school in 2025.

The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

Tiny shelf concert

麻豆视频’s Musical Theatre department hosted a “Tiny Shelf Concert on Oct. 2 in Belk Library.

The ‘biggest’ Rock the Block yet

The Office of Alumni聽Engagement聽and聽the聽Student Union Board collaborated once again to聽host聽the Homecoming concert with DJ Diesel (Shaquille O鈥橬eal) bringing approximately 5,000 attendees to the annual Rock the Block concert on Oct. 9.

Learning everywhere

Assistant Professor of Management Jose Cerecedo Lopez teaches a class outside near the Koury Business Center.

Engineering excellence

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina鈥檚 secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of 麻豆视频鈥檚 new School of Engineering and Computing.

Pumpkin playfulness

The 麻豆视频 Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual聽Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and聽community members with fall festivities, including聽live music, fun crafting activities and food at the 麻豆视频 Community Garden.

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina鈥檚 secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of 麻豆视频鈥檚 new School of Engineering and Computing.

After years of being housed within 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the university鈥檚 longtime engineering and computer science departments combined this fall to formally launch the university鈥檚 seventh school, a response to the growing importance of technology and innovative problem-solving across numerous professions.

鈥淓stablishing a School of Engineering and Computing reflects 麻豆视频鈥檚 commitment to preparing students to be leaders, innovators and problem-solvers,鈥� said 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淚n today鈥檚 rapidly changing world, it is important to blend a superior technical education with opportunities for interdisciplinary thinking and experiential learning. 麻豆视频 students embrace these opportunities. By doing so, they easily demonstrate how to apply what they learn in the classroom to finding solutions for real clients, with real needs, even before graduating with the skills needed for fulfilling careers and lives of meaning.鈥�

鈥淭he opening of 麻豆视频鈥檚 School of Engineering and Computing marks an important milestone in the university鈥檚 continued growth聽in national prominence,鈥� added 麻豆视频 Provost Rebecca Kohn. 鈥淔aculty from two distinct disciplines are now better positioned to聽identify and expand聽opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, creativity, and leadership that are critical to addressing society鈥檚 most pressing obstacles. This聽school will serve as a聽new聽model for preparing engineers, developers, game designers, cybersecurity experts and more who will advance their fields while making a difference to so many future clients and communities.鈥�

Michael K.J. Milligan, chief executive officer of , delivered keynote remarks at a morning address. North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley shared additional perspectives on the economic impact of engineering and computer science when he offered remarks at a campus luncheon.

鈥淚’m excited to showcase what we’re doing here at 麻豆视频,鈥� said John Walz, the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing. 鈥淪tudents who choose to come to 麻豆视频 will receive not only a strong engineering or computer science education but also a great foundation in the liberal arts. Our students will graduate with technical skills, the ability to work in teams and communicate effectively, and the potential to quickly serve as leaders in the field.鈥�

The celebration opened with an address from Milligan in which he impressed upon those in attendance the importance of lifelong learning. He also spoke to the need to continuously develop technical skills, interpersonal communication and relationship building.

A panel discussion titled 鈥淗ow 麻豆视频 is Educating Engineers and Computer Scientists to Meet the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow鈥� followed. Moderated by Walz, the discussion featured faculty members Professor Shannon Duvall, Professor Sirena Hargrove-Leak, Alex Strassberg 鈥�26, and Kelly Little of Tryon Solutions.

Among the highlights from the panel was advice for students on looking for the right academic fit if pursuing a career in engineering or computing, how 麻豆视频 faculty work with students, and what employers are looking for from recent graduates.

“One of the biggest things for me as to why I came to 麻豆视频, was the idea that I could do things beyond just my strict major and be able to engage in things that weren’t just theory,鈥� said Strassberg. 鈥淲hen I worked on campus in the theater department, I came up with different ideas for stage lights. And I came (to the Engineering facilities) and built that.鈥�

Following the panel discussion, guests discovered work from 麻豆视频 students through a showcase that featured projects, research, and innovations from both engineering and computer science, a demonstration of the school鈥檚 impact and outcomes from hands-on learning experiences.

The celebration concluded with lunch and Lilley鈥檚 message of the role and economic impact of engineering and computing jobs throughout North Carolina. The state鈥檚 investment in attracting advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, software development, and other tech industries creates a strong demand for highly skilled graduates, he said.

Lilley spoke about the importance of engineering and computing jobs to the state鈥檚 future.

鈥淭hese professionals drive innovation, improve productivity and keep our state competitive,” he said. “They develop technologies, improve manufacturing processes, solve complex problems and their work helps companies turn ideas into reality. These skills influence where businesses choose to locate and where they choose to expand.鈥�

鈥淭o be honest, I was purely shocked,鈥� Cox said.

Cox was one of four students Williams highlighted as examples of the 鈥渨ell-rounded, talented, and compassionate鈥� Class of 2030. The recognition also surprised his family. Cox said his father thought he had known about it beforehand and was upset that Cox had not told him so he could record the moment.

鈥淚鈥檓 just as shocked as you are,鈥� Cox remembered telling his father.

Before coming to 麻豆视频, Cox had already gained experience in several of the areas that interested him. While at Archmere Academy in Delaware, he took part in football and track and received an AP Scholar Award. He also did annual athletic training internships with the Los Angeles Rams every year since 2018 and took part in a nine-week Boeing Explorers course that focused on aircraft manufacturing.

While Cox has explored different interests, he plans to major in civil engineering at 麻豆视频, an interest that started from being around construction and building while growing up. His father owns a contracting business, and Cox said he has also always enjoyed math.

鈥淚鈥檓 one of those weird ones that love math,鈥� Cox said.

His interest grew after he took physics during his junior year of high school and an engineering course during his senior year. Those classes helped him see how engineering brought together subjects that he already enjoyed.

“I fell in love with the mixture of physics and engineering, design and creativity as well,” Cox said.

Cox鈥檚 interest in engineering gave him the chance to explore the field beyond the classroom. As a member of the Boeing Explorers, he participated in the nine-week program and gained a better understanding of aircraft manufacturing and the different areas of engineering involved in the industry.

Each week during the program, Cox went to the facility, where he was able to see various manufacturing machines and learn about fields such as electrical engineering.

“It was a cool experience to see different types of engineers in the workforce,” Cox said.

When it came time to choose a college, Cox said several things about 麻豆视频 stood out to him. One of the biggest was 麻豆视频鈥檚 study abroad opportunities. In the past, Cox had traveled to Ghana and Europe, but he had never had the opportunity to study abroad through school.

“I want to take that opportunity, especially since I did not do it in high school,” Cox said. “I definitely wanted to enjoy that experience in college.”

Coming from Wilmington, Delaware, 麻豆视频 also gave him the chance to experience college farther away from home while still having family in the area. Along with the location and study abroad opportunities, Cox said 麻豆视频鈥檚 campus and undergraduate programs helped him make his decision.

Now at 麻豆视频, Cox is already looking for ways to take advantage of the opportunities available to him. As a scholar in the Odyssey Program and a member of the Engineering Fellows, Cox is already involved on campus, but he does not want to limit himself to only those experiences. Cox said he wants to 鈥渄ip my toe in a lot of things鈥� and experience everything 麻豆视频 has to offer. Along with having a social experience that comes with college, he also wants to prepare for his future and have a plan for his career after graduation.

For Cox, making the most of his time at 麻豆视频 also means preparing for what comes after college. He hopes his experiences at 麻豆视频 will help him figure out what he wants to do after graduation and prepare for his future. Cox intends to leave 麻豆视频 with a clear path for what comes next.

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited for both the social life and being able to have a set, sustainable plan once I graduate,鈥� Cox said.

Kranec, an applied mathematics and biomedical engineering major, whose research focuses on using a mathematical model to better understand how the immune system responds during COVID-19 and how that response may contribute to heart damage. She developed a system of differential equations that describes the interactions between the virus, immune cells and cytokines in the heart. Kranec has conducted this research with Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu.

Their goal is to better understand how immune dysregulation can lead to cardiac complications during infection.

鈥淎s an applied mathematics and biomedical engineering student, I鈥檝e always been drawn to how mathematics can be applied in real-world health problems,鈥� Kranec said. 鈥淐OVID-19 really highlighted how complex the interactions between the immune system and an infection are, and I was super interested in how mathematical modeling could help to answer biological questions that might be different to experimentally study.鈥�

This research project allows Kranec to combine her interests in mathematics, biology and medicine.

鈥淩eceiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me,鈥� Kranec said. 鈥淚t is a privilege to have my presentation recognized by other researchers and educators in the mathematical community. This award reflects not only the research itself, but the mentorship we received and the collaborative effort that went into this project. Being award this prize has given me more confidence in pursuing interdisciplinary research in the future.鈥�

Her research poster was submitted as part of the MAA MathFest presentation session for undergraduate students. Kranec recalled being surprised and honored to receive the award at MathFest.

鈥淚 had seen many other impressive projects being presented at the conference, so I was grateful that the judges held my work in the same high esteem,鈥� Kranec said. 鈥淚t was a very rewarding and exciting moment.鈥�

At the MAA MathFest conference, Kranec enjoyed the opportunity to explain her research on how mathematical models can be used to provide insights into complex biological systems and hearing questions and new perspectives from others.

Keopagnapech Ngoun 鈥�26, James Felder 鈥�27, and Andrew Pipeling 鈥�29 also contributed to this project.

鈥淩eceiving this award was an honor, and although my research group members were not able to attend the conference, I am grateful to have represented our team鈥檚 research at the conference,鈥� Kranec said.

Kranec attended the conference with Ryu through support from a National Science Foundation grant to fund Ryu’s research on COVID-19.

鈥淎s a mentor, there is nothing more rewarding than watching a student grow in confidence and begin to see herself as a researcher,鈥� Ryu said. 鈥淟isa has worked hard on her project, so seeing her research recognized at a national conference was a very proud moment for me. This award is a wonderful recognition of her curiosity, persistence and growth, but it also shows what undergraduates can accomplish when they are given meaningful opportunities to engage with research. This is just the beginning for Lisa, over the next two years, she will continue her interdisciplinary research through her Lumen project, Mathematical modeling of excessive collagen production in cardiac fibrosis, under the joint mentorship of Efrain Rivera-Serrano and I. I鈥檓 excited to see how she continues to grow as an interdisciplinary researcher.鈥�

Ayesh Awad 鈥�24 received this award at the 2024 MathFest conference.

Established in 2007, the Janet L. Andersen Award for Undergraduate Research in Mathematical or Computational Biology honors Janet Andersen, professor of mathematics, at Hope College.

Elsa Eastment 鈥�27 spent her summer combining engineering, biology and infectious disease research during an internship at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

A biomedical engineering major from Chevy Chase, Maryland, Eastment worked in the institute鈥檚 molecular biology division, where she used bioprinting technology to create three-dimensional living liver tissue. Her project involved working with two types of cells 鈥� HepG2 cells, which model liver cells, and iPSC-derived endothelial cells, which model the cells that line blood vessels.

鈥淚 was working with a bioprinter to print bioinks containing the two cell types. I then infected the live tissue that I printed with two different viruses to test how well the cells were remodeling the matrix,鈥� Eastment said.

Eastment鈥檚 goal was to determine which cell ratio would optimize matrix remodeling in 3D printed liver tissue. The experience brought together interests Eastment developed after arriving at 麻豆视频. She initially expected to pursue economics or finance but changed course during her sophomore year after taking a human physiology class.

鈥淭he course sparked my interest in biology,鈥� Eastment said. 鈥淪o when I was looking at summer internships, I was not just looking at engineering, but I was also looking at biology-focused opportunities.鈥�

Beyond the technical experience she gained, Eastment says one of her most significant takeaways was seeing the collaborative nature of research at a large facility. Rather than projects remaining within individual teams, researchers across multiple divisions contributed their expertise.

鈥淎t USAMRIID, projects travelled between different divisions, rather than staying in just one. This collaboration allowed projects to benefit from a broader range of expertise, which I think improves project quality and productivity,鈥� Eastment said.

The experience has already influenced how Eastment approaches her research at 麻豆视频. While much of her work has centered on engineering, she said the internship encouraged her to seek perspectives from other disciplines.

鈥淭his opportunity inspired me to do more outreach and talk to people from different departments about my projects,鈥� Eastment said. 鈥淚 think hearing their expertise could really elevate my projects.鈥�

Eastment credits 麻豆视频 with giving her the flexibility to discover her interest in engineering and quickly gain hands-on research experience after changing her academic path. She said that after switching majors, she was connected with an adviser, enrolled in the courses she needed and began pursuing research opportunities.

鈥溌槎故悠� has made gaining research experience super easy, which I really appreciate,鈥� Eastment said. 鈥淚 feel encouraged and excited to pursue my ideas because starting a project is so easy. All you have to do is ask.鈥�

Scott Wolter, Eastment鈥檚 mentor at 麻豆视频, has played an important role in that experience by helping connect her with faculty members whose expertise aligns with her research interests.

鈥淒r. Wolter has been very instrumental to my experience in 麻豆视频 Engineering,鈥� Eastment said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 not only interested in my projects and me doing the best that I can here, but he鈥檚 also been very invested in my career afterwards and helping me figure out what I want to do after 麻豆视频.鈥�

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Rev. Kirstin Boswell opened the event with the invocation, followed by the tradition of the bell ringing by Student Government Association President聽Michael Swartz 鈥�27. The bell arrived in North Carolina in 1854 on one of the first North Carolina railroad trains. It was later used at Graham College, a predecessor institution to 麻豆视频 College.

During the event, three individuals with strong ties to the university were awarded the 麻豆视频 Medallion, the university’s most prestigious service honor: Jim Donathan, longtime associate director of academic advising and academic support; Mary Thornton, founder and president of Harvest Table Culinary Group; and Don Grady, associate professor emeritus of cinema and television arts.

Katy Rouse, professor of economics in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, was named the Trustee Chair for Excellence.聽For seventeen years, Rouse has taught 麻豆视频’s Principles of Economics and Intermediate Microeconomics courses, along with a capstone she built herself on educational disparities in the United States, earning student evaluations among the highest in her department for more than a decade.

She has personally mentored more than 30 senior and honors theses, co-authored research with undergraduates, chaired the Love School’s curriculum committee and published her teaching scholarship in the Journal of Economic Education.

“I truly believe that being a teacher scholar mentor at 麻豆视频 is one of the best careers I’m going to have,” Rouse said. “Every day we come to work, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students during one of the most pivotal points in their lives.”

Mapping the course

During her annual Opening Day address, Book reflected on 麻豆视频鈥檚 progress while looking toward a year that will include the launch of new academic initiatives, continued work surrounding artificial intelligence, the opening of the Roberts Academy and the planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte.

Book centered her remarks around the idea of a map 鈥� the markers that show where 麻豆视频 has been and the guideposts that will help the university navigate what comes next. The theme was inspired by a visit this summer to 麻豆视频 students participating in the Summer Opera Workshop at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. The students came together for a historic production of 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� in Florence, Italy, where the musical is set.

As part of their work, students were also tasked with creating a map of the city, something that inspired Book.

鈥淭here is something powerful in this mapmaking assignment, and it left me wondering about our collective 麻豆视频 map,鈥� Book said. 鈥淗ow would we each draw it?鈥�

At the center of that map, Book said, is 麻豆视频鈥檚 mission. She highlighted several markers of progress during the past year, including the Odyssey Program surpassing 300 scholarships, record participation in undergraduate research, strong Fulbright success and new academic programs, including cybersecurity, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Charlotte PA program. She also celebrated the upcoming launch of the School of Engineering and Computing under inaugural Dean John Walz and the growth of the university鈥檚 nursing program.

Mapping new territory (together)

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the first students of the聽Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频聽will arrive at the school’s temporary home in Trollinger House. The school will be the聽state’s only university-based private school for children with dyslexia. Book described the academy and the Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning as an opportunity that 鈥渨ill change lives from day one.鈥�

Among the most significant new territory is 麻豆视频鈥檚 planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte. Book noted that the institutions received accreditation approval this summer to proceed with their merger, with a single Board of Trustees now overseeing both universities. Sixteen administrative units are also becoming shared teams supporting the two campuses, while a federal review of the merger is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt gave brief updates on the merger as part of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee.

鈥淥ur two institutions will be stronger together, will better serve students together, and will have a brighter future together,鈥� Book said. 鈥淎nd now, we are working to build that vision together, to grow opportunity to advance learning 鈥� together.鈥�

Mapping a new look

Athletics Director Jennifer Strawley was also invited to the stage to announce a for the university鈥檚 athletics program, which had what Book called a 鈥渇ormidable year,鈥� with seven 麻豆视频 teams, the most in the university鈥檚 history, winning conference titles. A new physical mascot will be unveiled at the first College Coffee of the academic year on Aug. 25.

“The new Phoenix wears a gold sweater with a monogram ‘E,’ paying tribute to our first mascot, the Fighting Christian,” Strawley said. “The focused expression conveys the determination, confidence and purpose that defines our university community. The Phoenix continues to be fueled by the flames, symbolizing our rebuild from the ashes, and capturing the spirit and resilience of the 麻豆视频 community.”

Book acknowledged that the changing higher education landscape brings challenges, from enrollment pressures and federal regulations to declining public confidence. But she reminded faculty and staff that adapting to change has long been part of 麻豆视频鈥檚 history.

鈥淚 understand change can be daunting. Shifting national headwinds are challenging higher education,鈥� Book said. 鈥淔ortunately for us, 麻豆视频 has never succeeded by standing still. We鈥檝e joined together, developed new strategies and guided by our mission 鈥� built the number one institution for engaged learning and student success.鈥�

She closed by returning to the journey ahead, and the role faculty and staff play in shaping the lives of 麻豆视频 students.

鈥淚t is not simply education; it is a journey of human transformation,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭hank you for the everyday commitment, kindness and integrity that are our enduring guideposts.鈥�

Four 麻豆视频 students and five faculty members attended the conference, presenting research and scholarly work spanning mathematical biology, mathematics education, artificial intelligence and undergraduate research.

Student Accomplishments:

• Lisa Kranec 鈥�28, a double major in applied mathematics and engineering and a Lumen Scholar, presented her research project, 鈥淢athematical Modeling of Cardiac Macrophages in COVID-19,鈥� during a poster session. Kranec is mentored by Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu, and her research is supported by the through an award to Ryu as principal investigator.
• Pagnapech Ngoun 鈥�26, an engineering graduate, and Nicolas Alvarez 鈥�27, a double major in mathematics and engineering and a Lumen Scholar, presented their published research in a poster titled 鈥淢athematical Modeling of COVID-19 Reveals Immune Cell Dysfunction.鈥� Their research presents findings from a mathematical model that accounts for interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the human immune system. Ngoun and Alvarez are mentored by Ryu, and their work is also supported by the through the award to Ryu.

Faculty Accomplishments:

• Professor of Mathematics Todd Lee gave a contributed talk titled “MAA Journal Problems Provide a Foundation for Undergraduate and High School Research Programs.”
• Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Kristen Mazur gave a contributed talk on her work titled 鈥淪ame Course, Different Outcome: Reflecting on Failure after Success in a Mathematics Capstone Course.鈥�
• Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Brittany Riggs gave a contributed talk titled “An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Women throughout the History of Mathematics.”
• Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu gave an invited talk titled 鈥淔rom Failure to Insight: Rethinking Writing-to-Learn through Projects in the Age of AI鈥� during the special session 鈥淢AA Project NExT and its Impact on Teaching and Learning.鈥�
• Associate Professor of Mathematics Aaron Trocki聽gave a contributed talk titled “Using GenAI to Include Students鈥� Interests in Calculus.”

The students鈥� and faculty members鈥� participation at MathFest highlights the department鈥檚 commitment to undergraduate research, innovative teaching and engagement with the broader mathematical community. Their presentations provided opportunities to share work developed at 麻豆视频 while connecting with mathematicians, educators and students from across the country.

Expanded academics
School of Engineering and Computing

The new School of Engineering and Computing will open in Fall 2026, anchoring聽the university鈥檚 Innovation Quad聽in the heart of campus. It will include聽20聽full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students. The school will include three new majors: , and . 闯辞丑苍听奥补濒锄, a former president of the聽Milwaukee School of Engineering聽and聽longtime leader in engineering and technology education, will serve as the school’s inaugural dean.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

麻豆视频’s new Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will welcome its first cohort this fall. The graduate program, at 麻豆视频鈥檚 main campus and Charlotte national campus, will work to prepare competent, compassionate and ethical counselors committed to promoting mental wellness and addressing an urgent need for counselors.

Charlotte Physician Assistant Studies

麻豆视频 will welcome Charlotte, North Carolina鈥檚 first Physician Assistant program with its inaugural class in January 2027,聽pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2026 ARC-PA meeting.聽Rooted in 麻豆视频鈥檚 pillars of engaged learning, leadership, and global impact, the 麻豆视频 PA program in Charlotte is designed who uphold clinical excellence, are community-focused, and equity-driven.

Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频

The Roberts Academy,聽North Carolina鈥檚 only university-based private school for children with dyslexia, officially opens this fall. It will serve as a statewide and national model for structured literacy education. The school was established through the philanthropic vision of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, who have witnessed the transformative power of a multisensory approach to reading education.

The school will initially welcome third- and fourth-grade students in Trollinger House, before expanding its capacity to grades one through six in a state-of-the-art facility planned for East Haggard Avenue, set to open in Fall 2028.

New sights

Several construction projects have been underway this summer, ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.聽The聽Slattery Center聽will be the university鈥檚 new health and wellness center, a central component to the university鈥檚 broader聽HealthEU聽initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social.

Renovations of the Mooney Building, home to the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, are underway, including the replacement of windows and HVAC systems, upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, and the addition of waterproofing.

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• The Month in Photos: March 2026

While campus is quieter during the summer months, June still brought plenty of activity to 麻豆视频. From the sounds of the annual community concert and picnic to the energy of summer camps and campus events, there was no shortage of memorable moments.

Take a look back at some of the month鈥檚 highlights through the eyes of the staff in University Communications.

Engineering success

A former president of the聽Milwaukee School of Engineering聽and聽longtime leader in engineering and technology education has been named the inaugural dean of 麻豆视频鈥檚聽new聽School of Engineering and Computing.

Dr.聽闯辞丑苍听奥补濒锄 joins 麻豆视频 after nearly a decade聽helming聽a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

AI Play

麻豆视频 hosted its inaugural AI Play summer camp in June for rising middle school students with an interest in the world of artificial intelligence. Thirteen students participated, learning about artificial intelligence while improving their AI literacy.

Summer Concert & Picnic

麻豆视频 faculty, staff, students and friends came together at the Martin Alumni Center for the annual Summer Concert & Picnic on June 25.

Emancipation Celebration

This summer, 麻豆视频 faculty and staff were invited to engage in meaningful dialogue, reflection and community-building through the Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series 鈥淎merican Anniversaries: 250 Years, Over 160 Reasons to Heal.鈥�

The series connected two significant milestones in American history 鈥� the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth 鈥� through opportunities to explore the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality and justice.

Together@麻豆视频鈥檚 Emancipation Celebration invited community members to enjoy a Juneteenth exhibit, music, sweet treats and games while celebrating freedom, resilience and community.

With a theme of “Breaking Through the Ordinary,” the 2025 Provost’s Report emphasizes the role of聽innovation聽in聽teaching today’s students and creating learning opportunities that lead to human transformation. 麻豆视频’s nearly 500 full-time faculty members exemplify an institutional commitment to the聽teacher-scholar-mentor model聽that defines the university’s nationally acclaimed approach to higher education.

Signature features in the report include an in-depth look at the way 麻豆视频:

• Approaches聽the use of artificial intelligence聽and leads national conversations of its ethical applications
• Works to establish a聽School of Engineering and Computing聽that emphasizes the skills,聽knowledge and global awareness students need to thrive in their careers
• Serves families of children with dyslexia through a new聽private elementary school聽like those supported through philanthropy at聽Vanderbilt, Mercer, and Florida Southern.

The report also includes shorter profiles drawn from each of 麻豆视频’s six schools/college that represent the innovative spirit faculty and staff bring to the community every day.

“As I reflect on these accomplishments, and on the important work that continues across the university, I am inspired by the talent, dedication, and shared purpose of 麻豆视频’s faculty members, staff members, and students,” said Rebecca Kohn, 麻豆视频’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Together, we are strengthening the academic life of the university and creating pathways that will sustain 麻豆视频’s ability to provide a valuable and transformative education for generations into the future.”