COSAM News Articles 2021 August Farewell Message from Dean Giordano

Farewell Message from Dean Giordano

Published: 08/03/2021

I have dedicated more than four decades in the field of higher education. During that time, I have taught, conducted research, and held many positions, and I have gotten the greatest satisfaction from working with students.

The students that I helped guide and inspire make me incredibly proud. I am grateful that I could help former students become successful professionals.

Inspiring a student to reach his or her full potential is one of the most important responsibilities we have in academia. As I step down as COSAM’s Dean, I encourage everyone to actively act as mentors for the next generation of students.

Many of you know how much I adore my granddaughter Imogen. She reminds me how we need to go beyond the classroom to spark a passion and excitement for lifelong learning. It doesn’t matter if you are a tenured professor, supervisor, lecturer, administrative professional or even a dean. What matters is that you invest your time to a help a current student realize their potential.

Everyone can make contributions to mentoring.

Everyone.

You might participate in COSAM’s Summer Science Institute (SSI). (I have had great fun teaching students in the SSI how to make a homemade flute as seen in the photos to the right.)

Talk to a student about their career goals. Ask a student if he or she is involved in research and if not, make a suggestions or connection to a lab. Share advice you have learned from your career with a student who can benefit from that information.

By mentoring, we can make a profound difference in the lives of our students and have an impact that can literally last a lifetime.

Thank you for letting me have the honor of being COSAM’s Dean for eight years.

During my time, I have strived to make COSAM a better place for all faculty, staff and students.

Pat and I would like to sincerely thank all of you for letting us be part of your lives. We appreciate having the opportunity to get to know you and we will greatly miss COSAM.