First Day of Class

Dear Emory Community,

The fall semester is underway, and our campuses are bustling with activity. I am delighted to see so many familiar faces and it has been a pleasure to meet our newest undergraduates in Atlanta and Oxford — the Class of 2028 — and their families during move-in and orientation week.

Over the summer, many students traveled abroad, took on internships, and furthered their studies while our faculty immersed themselves in their research and scholarship. My own summer included many conversations with members of our community as they prepared for the new semester. These conversations were profound, giving me an opportunity to listen to critical feedback and ideas.

Emory is a place where students flourish and find purpose; where faculty are dedicated to teaching, the pursuit of knowledge, and artistic expression; where staff members apply their expertise to ensure all aspects of our operations thrive; and where physicians and health care workers treat patients with compassionate care and develop breakthrough cures to save lives. This is why we are here at Emory: to undertake this timeless work. 

Last year we faced many challenges. We move forward from those experiences with an unwavering commitment to our mission as well as the understanding that open expression is an important part of who we are as a university. At Emory, we learn, study, analyze, and debate as members of an exceptional academic community. That means welcoming diverse backgrounds and viewpoints and creating space for a respectful and productive exchange of ideas. And that also means focusing on the safety of everyone who lives, works, and learns at Emory. 

This is a special time of year — filled with potential and possibility. I am looking forward to an inspiring semester in Atlanta and Oxford and am glad to see you back on campus.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President