February 3, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted and deeply grateful to begin my work as Provost today; it is a privilege to serve the University in this capacity.
I came to the University of Chicago in 1998 as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, and I have spent my entire independent academic career here. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you—be it through research collaborations, serving on University committees, or in the classroom and lab. I have seen up close what makes this University truly distinctive: a singular pursuit of academic excellence, a foundational commitment to rigorous inquiry and free expression, and a community that brings together people with diverse perspectives, experiences and viewpoints. These values create an environment where field-defining research flourishes and students at every level can experience a transformative education.
I look forward to working with you to uphold these enduring values, and to ensure that they continue to guide our work to support your scholarship and advance the University’s academic eminence and educational mission.
Sincerely,
Ka Yee Lee, Provost