Work–life balance isn’t a topic I’d say I’m an expert in. I’m passionate about my job and the work I do every day to make the College of Letters & Science a world-class learning environment for students and an inspiring workplace that fuels groundbreaking research. That passion often bleeds into long hours, so I definitely have a thing or two to learn about work–life balance.

Thankfully, the L&S community is full of experts on the topic, and we get to hear from them in this magazine’s cover feature, “Balancing Act.” Alumni, researchers and advisors weigh in on topical conversations such as burnout, artificial intelligence in the workplace and strategies for better well-being. This collection of stories reminded me that finding the balance is something that ebbs and flows throughout life and that time away from work is essential. For me, life outside of office hours looks like cycling while weather allows, curling once it cools down and time with family always.

Something else I have in common with a lot of Badgers is that I’m a big-time sports fan. So many of our alumni have turned their love for athletics into a career in communications, even before the School of Journalism and Mass Communication launched a certificate in sports communication in 2019. You’ll meet six such alumni with exciting careers in the “Good Sports” feature.

Fall feels like prime time to tell the story of two L&S researchers who we call “Phantom Finders.” They’re hunting down cartographic phantoms, which are communities still listed on maps even though they aren’t around anymore. Wisconsin has hundreds of them, and this is a one-of-a-kind research effort that is only happening in our state to make maps more accurate. That’s the Wisconsin Idea in action.

As you flip through the pages, you’ll find a lot more stories that celebrate all things L&S. Hear from Corey Pompey as he reflects on five years as the director of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, from students who are doing research on lakes in Wisconsin’s northwoods, and from Alan Rubel, a professor and the director of the Information School, as he explains the human side of technology. You’ll also read about the L&S impact across Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

These stories of outstanding alumni, remarkable research and enterprising students remind us of the wonderful things happening in our community. And all of this is made possible by you and your ongoing support of our mission to provide each new generation of Badgers with a world-class liberal arts education. Thank you for championing the College of Letters & Science.

On, Wisconsin!

Eric M. Wilcots
Dean and Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy,
College of Letters & Science