December 17, 2010

Dear Colleagues:

Looking back at 2010, this has been an extraordinary year filled with academic superlatives, research breakthroughs, and compassionate service for the University of Miami family.

Classes hadn’t started yet when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the nation of Haiti on January 12. Decades of strong involvement with organizations in Haiti allowed the University to spring into immediate action. The heroic humanitarian work we accomplished and continue to perform there, made possible by the entire University community along with our alumni and friends, has been widely heralded.

Collectively, our response to this tragedy highlights all that the University of Miami stands for: helping to make our world a better place one act, one lesson at a time.

I want to thank each of you for your special role in helping the University of Miami excel in every way. It’s not just about doing your job, but the way you do it. It is the spontaneous courtesies, the comforting shoulders, the smiles and the extra miles you are willing to go for our students, patients, patrons, and the community.

I am so proud of the new “U” we have created together by building on a strong foundation and a legacy that reaches back 85 years.

Here’s to 2011—I truly believe the best is yet to come.

My sincerest wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy holiday season.