Over twenty years ago, I walked through the doors of the Z. Smith Reynolds library for the first time. I climbed the steps to the eighth floor to interview for my first job after college: serving as a Microtext Specialist. I wasn’t sure what my future held, but I immediately sensed that Wake Forest University was a special place. The faculty, staff, and students were warm, welcoming, committed to excellence, and guided by the University’s motto, Pro Humanitate. I was incredibly fortunate to begin my professional journey here. Today, I feel even more fortunate to return, this time as Dean of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library.

Coming back to Wake Forest is not just a professional milestone; it’s personally meaningful. This is a community that I care about profoundly, one that has shaped my leadership and my understanding of the transformative power of the liberal arts and the vital role libraries serve in higher education. The world has changed in the years I’ve been away, and so has the University. But the heart of Wake Forest continues as a community dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the liberal arts and using our knowledge, talents, and compassion to better the lives of others.

Since my time here, I’ve had opportunities to deepen my purpose and sharpen my focus. I’ve led through moments of uncertainty and transformation, and worked with remarkable teams confronting urgent challenges. With every experience, I’ve become even more convinced that institutions like ours are essential, both to the academic enterprise and to a more informed, thoughtful, and connected society.

As I begin this new chapter with you, I do so with great respect for all the work that has continued at ZSR and Wake Forest. I’m eager to listen, to learn what matters the most to you now, and to build on the remarkable legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service that defines this place. I have every confidence that we will meet this moment together to foster a community of learning, inquiry, and partnerships.

In the coming weeks and months I hope to connect with many of you. I’d love to hear your reflection on the past, your hopes for the future, and your ideas about where we go next. I am honored to be returning, grateful for your welcome, and excited for the work ahead.