Dear College of Arts & Letters Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and Friends,

Today, the MSU Board of Trustees selected Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., as Michigan State’s 21st President. President-designee Stanley will officially begin his term as MSU’s President on Aug. 1, 2019. Dr. Stanley has served as President of Stony Brook University since 2009 and has nearly 15 years of higher education leadership experience. On behalf of the College of Arts & Letters, I wish to welcome him to the MSU community.

This morning during a meeting with academic leadership, Dr. Stanley emphasized the central importance of the arts and humanities in his own education, and he spoke about the critical role the liberal arts play in the research mission of the University. As many of you know, over the last year, Deans and college administrators across the University have been working collaboratively to nurture a culture that is transparent, open, trusting, and safe; to foster leadership that is caring and accountable; and to create an engaged community that is inclusive and equitable. It was heartening to hear Dr. Stanley speak of these values during the announcement of his appointment and at the press conference following the Board of Trustees meeting. In particular, I appreciated the way he intentionally tied culture change to a university-wide plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This is an important moment of transition for MSU as we continue to live up to the high expectations we have of ourselves. Over the months and years to come, we look forward to working with Dr. Stanley to create a campus environment where all are welcome and safe.

Please join me in celebrating the appointment of Dr. Stanley and in welcoming his wife, Ellen Li, M.D., Ph.D., and their family to the Spartan community.

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Long
Dean of the College of Arts & Letters