Chancellor Richard L. Byyny (Photo/Larry Harwood)

I enjoyed seeing so many of our faculty, staff and students last week at the reception honoring Carl Wieman's selection as the 2004 U.S. Professor of the Year. This was an exceptional honor for Carl and for the University and a wonderful reason to celebrate together.

The U.S. Professors of the Year program salutes those who excel as teachers and influence the lives and careers of their students, and is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards honoring professors. This is an extraordinary recognition for Professor Wieman, the department of physics, the Faculty Teaching Excellence program and the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is an extraordinary achievement for us to celebrate now and in the future. Certainly, Carl's achievement has provided a welcome highlight to what has been an unusual year for the Boulder campus.

Undoubtedly, 2004 has been a challenging year for CU-Boulder. I am extremely thankful for all of you, our dedicated corps of faculty and staff, for keeping the university's mission to educate students as your top priority.

The last few years have been difficult ones on a global scale. The emotional and economic repercussions of September 11th still shock and sadden many of us. The war in Iraq has left us with ongoing problems, and there are conflict zones around the world. The recent elections have polarized many friends and family members. All of these have affected our lives in many ways.

Yet the holiday season is about hope and belief. It is about believing in the power of people for good. It is about the spirit of forgiveness and the search for peace. It's a time for remembering old friends, past holidays, and family traditions.

Most of all, the holiday season is about sharing with others - whether it be the gifts of time with family and friends or contributions to our communities. But I also believe that now is the time we can share in celebrating another year spent working together.

Celebration may seem a strange word to use about work, but work is an integral part of our lives. Of course we all need income, but we also are social beings who benefit from contributing and sharing our days with others. Every day, I look forward to coming to work and having the opportunity to interact with faculty, staff and students across the campus. For me, it's a time to celebrate as well.

As the year draws to a close, I'd like to share these words from T.S. Eliot, the noted poet and Nobel Laureate:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning."

Here's to hope for new beginnings. As always, thank you for all you do on behalf of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday season and Happy New Year!