Dean David Gerdes | Photo by Rob Wetzler

I am proud to welcome you to this issue of art/sci, which offers a rich display of the college’s diverse pursuits and achievements. In these pages, you will meet faculty members advancing climate science and undergraduates conducting original research in new, state-of-the-art biology labs. You will hear from a philosopher examining what constitutes knowledge in the sciences and the humanities. You will come across multiple examples of the college’s community engagement: plans for an institute that will address the mental-health needs of area residents; first-year students reading to youngsters at a local elementary school; an art historian and her graduate students curating an exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art. This is just a sample of the topics the magazine explores.

When people ask me why I wanted to become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, I always start by pointing to our comprehensive excellence. When I accepted this role, I was aware of the outstanding caliber of the college’s faculty and students, the remarkable breadth of its offerings and its enduring partnerships with other world-class institutions in University Circle. I also knew that, under the wise guidance of its central administration, Case Western Reserve was on an upward trajectory—attracting record numbers of students, expanding its faculty and enhancing its research facilities. 

Since I arrived on campus in March, my admiration for the college, and my gratitude for the opportunity to be part of it, have only grown. It has been exciting to begin forging relationships with brilliant and dedicated colleagues across the disciplines. I was delighted to share a table with students at the Unity Banquet, and to watch a lively undergraduate production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors in the Roe Green Theatre. (The actors’ bios were just as impressive as their performances. How do these young people manage to accomplish so much during their time here?) I felt especially lucky to take part in Admitted Student Programs this spring, and in the university commencement as the academic year came to a close. Looking forward, I want to ensure that future classes value their experience at Case Western Reserve even more than the students I saw celebrating their graduation.

I have also enjoyed my initial conversations with alumni and friends of the college, some of whom are recognized in this issue. I look forward to honoring the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend this fall (October 9-–12), and I want to express my profound gratitude for the generosity and loyalty of the college’s many supporters. 

In these uncertain times, I believe that a major part of my responsibility is to be an advocate for the college—articulating and defending the value of what we do, and upholding the ideals of fearless inquiry and free expression. As I undertake this work, I draw inspiration from every segment of our community, and I am confident that our fundamental strengths and collective efforts will enable us to flourish. 

Yours truly,

David Gerdes
Dean
Professor, Department of Physics