Dear UMBC Community,

When I started these Happy Monday messages back in September, I did so in the spirit of trying something new.

As I reflect on how it has gone, and on the brilliant graduates we sent out into the world last week, along with our recent End-of-Semester Celebration for faculty and staff, I am reminded of why I send Happy Monday messages. It is not about showing things as easy or perfect, but about sharing back some of the inspiration and energy I receive every day from you. These messages are not meant to replace other communications. I will continue to share—via email, meetings, and in other ways—updates on the work we are doing, as I did in a campus message last week. Happy Monday messages are to be additive, a brief moment of celebration, expression of gratitude, or other personal perspective on UMBC, its mission, its people, and its impact.

I have heard from many of you that you appreciate these messages, so I will continue them in the spring semester. On occasion (as was the case last week), I may not send a Happy Monday message—if the volume of communications seems overwhelming, if some context (on or off campus) makes Happy Monday feel inappropriate, or for any number of other reasons. These messages will pause during January and resume at the start of the spring semester, still on Mondays, my favorite day of the week!

I leave you with these photos from last week’s Commencement, which are a beautiful reminder of why we are here and how much it matters.

Sincerely,