In Gratitude

09.30.2022

Dear Colleagues,

In 2017 the LMU community welcomed me with open arms and invited me to witness and join in on the passion, creativity, dedication, and drive that I still see exemplified in the students, faculty, and staff of our prestigious institution. Five years later, I am honored to have been reappointed to serve as Loyola Marymount University’s provost for another term.

I am indebted to my colleagues on the President’s Cabinet, and to their teams, for their collaborative spirit and commitment to the mission. I especially thank LMU’s outstanding team of deans and leaders in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management. We have accomplished much over the past five years, and there are still many goals we will attain together. Not only are we uniquely positioned to achieve the objectives we have set forth in the Strategic Plan, but also the institutional momentum we have built in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis will allow us to resume our advances in multiple areas.

LMU has elevated our profile by achieving the R2 designation, but we did not need a reclassification to know that we take great measures to support faculty and student research and creative work. As LMU continues to invest in faculty scholarship and expand opportunities for students, we will elevate the incredible research that is being done and share our achievements with our peers and the public.

Pre-pandemic, approximately 40 percent of LMU seniors reported having a study abroad experience, and LMU students have consistently won prestigious fellowships and awards including Fulbrights, Goldwaters, Gilmans, the Gates Cambridge award, and most recently the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship. The office of Global-Local Affairs has made great strides to provide international experiences in the face of adversity and maintain a database of global partnerships among the Lion community. With the ACE Lab Internationalization Strategic Plan in place, I am eager to see the renewed momentum of our internationalization efforts.

Lastly, I am committed to supporting the engagement and retention of our students as we return to full-fledged, on-campus programming. I am grateful to the entire university community for weathering the uncertain times that we faced in the wake of a globally historic event, and I am excited to move into the next phase of institutional history. LMU is renowned for our engaged students, staff, and faculty. I am certain, through God’s Grace, we will come together to espouse cura personalis, and re-engage our bright, caring student body.

I humbly thank President Snyder for his words of praise in my reappointment announcement, and thank all of you for your support, collegiality, and inspiration over the past five years. 

In gratitude,

Thomas Poon
Executive Vice President and Provost
Professor of Chemistry