Welcome to the Fall 2025 semester and a new academic year. I hope your summer was everything you wanted it to be, and you are rejuvenated and revved up for the first week of school.
I want to begin by acknowledging our new students, staff, and faculty. We welcome you and look forward to your contributions to our vibrant academic community. To learn more about the new faculty and lecturers, click here.
As you may know, our former dean, David Reingold, is the new chancellor at Indiana University's Bloomington campus. The search for a new dean of Liberal Arts at Purdue is well underway, the ad was posted mid-July, with the first round of interviews set to begin soon. We expect on-campus interviews to occur in October. I am confident the university will select a new leader for our college who will build on the growth and innovation of the past decade. Thank you to our colleagues who are serving on the search advisory committee, your contributions are appreciated.
The new dean will have not only opportunities but also challenges. People frequently ask about the value of a university credential in the 21st century. What's the return on investment? Why pay for degrees that don’t guarantee a six-figure salary? Why study the liberal arts when the media tells us STEM fields are the only sure bet for success?
My response is that a liberal arts degree is more valuable than ever. In a constantly changing career landscape driven by new technologies, it's not just a field of study, it's a foundation for lifelong adaptability. By cultivating critical thinking, effective communication, and a broad understanding of the human experience, a liberal arts education prepares students for a dynamic career landscape and a lifetime of learning. It’s the ultimate degree in versatility, designed to future-proof our students’ careers.
I know this to be true because I see how your daily work continues to advance the liberal arts in our world. I see how you advance our understanding of human history, how you help us analyze this present moment, and how you're paving the way of our future. Our contributions in the College of Liberal Arts are essential in this world, as we work to support academic freedom, champion the humanities, and advance liberal arts education for the next generations. Thank you for all you do.
We are all aware of the challenges facing the liberal arts. But we are not shying away from this moment. For all of us in the College of Liberal Arts, we are facing the future head-on with a strong foundation, an unrivaled group of thought-leaders, and the collective desire to see the arts, humanities, and social sciences continue to thrive.
I encourage us all to work towards undeniable excellence. Don’t expect others to validate your worth. Strive for excellence so undeniable that your value, your contribution to the university and the world, cannot be overlooked. Be so brilliant that your light can’t be contained.
I have so many other thoughts to share. Are we doing everything we can to make sure our students are ready for the modern job market? Are we teaching the opportunities and caveats around artificial intelligence in every class we offer? Are we examining our disciplines and ways of working and asking the hard questions: Is this the best and most efficient way? Is this practice the most beneficial for students? Because make no mistake, as far as I am concerned, it is all about the students – undergraduate and graduate. For me, the student experience is paramount. It is why we are here.
On Monday, we begin a new semester at one of the world’s finest institutions of learning, research, and creative endeavor. I sincerely thank you for the individual part you play in this grand experiment called Purdue University.
Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue, and Love Liberal Arts.
Have a great semester!
Joel Ebarb, MFA
Interim Dean
College of Liberal Arts