Welcome Back, DU!

Dear DU community members, 

Welcome to winter term and the new year. I hope you all enjoyed the time away. Fresh starts, new classes and schedules, exciting goals and incredible opportunities—all this gives winter term a productive energy worth embracing. 

What I hope most of all, for the entire DU community, is that we start 2025 encouraged by the fact that, together, we have all we need to successfully navigate whatever might lie ahead. In our teaching and learning, in our work and research, in our interactions with one another and in all the ways we serve society, we are well-prepared, highly skilled and deeply passionate.  

Beyond the core work of teaching and learning, higher education is also about relationships and shared experiences. As we have heard from DU alumni, it’s the late-night study sessions that turn into lifelong friendships, clubs and organizations that ignite new passions, and campus events that create lasting cherished memories. Students, these are the experiences unique to higher education and to DU—please take full advantage of them this term. Get involved, explore new interests, and connect with your peers and professors. These connections will enrich your college experience and provide a support network that will stay with you long after graduation. Embrace the vibrant community around you and make the most of every opportunity to grow, both personally and academically. 

As always, the future holds both promises and unknowns. There are hurdles we can see just around the bend, and those we can only imagine but must anticipate. To that end, DU commits to communicating with you regularly about all we can—from issues impacting students with Dreamer status across the nation, to new ways we are driving demand for a DU education, to programming and opportunities to deepen your learning and involvement. We invite the DU community to lend your voices, ideas and perspectives. All of it matters; each is an opportunity to shape a brighter future together.  

Thank you for choosing to kick off 2025 at DU, and best wishes for a positive and productive term. 

Sincerely, 

Jeremy Haefner

Chancellor