by President John E. Jones ’77, P’11
It’s been an extraordinary year at Dickinson as we continue to innovate, draw upon the expertise of our alumni and families, and focus on providing the best educational experience to prepare students for their futures.
As you know, Dickinsonians don’t confine themselves to narrow fields of study. Our distinctive approach encourages students to explore a wide range of disciplines and uncover connections where others see only divisions. This integrative way of learning equips our students to tackle complex challenges with creativity and insight.
True to our founder’s vision, we take learning beyond the classroom. Every Dickinson student has numerous opportunities to apply their knowledge through research, internships, civic engagement or other hands-on experiences. These real-world applications deepen their understanding, spark new questions and inspire exploration. This is critical to the Dickinson way, and it is our goal to expand this practical approach even more in the years ahead. We want to make sure our students, upon graduation, have a portfolio of practical experiences as well as an understanding of the skills they’ve gained that will set them apart from other graduates.
We are also committed to equipping our students for a rapidly evolving world. Take artificial intelligence, for example. Rather than shying away from this transformative technology, we are critically examining its potential and preparing our students to use it responsibly and ethically.
And I want to underscore that ethics underpin everything we do at Dickinson. Students across all disciplines—from art history to physics—learn to engage in ethical reasoning as part of their college experience. During my time as a federal judge, I saw many individuals who once thrived in their communities make poor ethical choices that led to devastating consequences. At Dickinson, we aim to prevent such outcomes by equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex moral and ethical dilemmas.
One of our most exciting new initiatives is the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy, which launched this fall. By offering practical learning experiences, mentorships and networking opportunities, the institute prepares students for successful careers in business and finance—regardless of their majors. Moreover, understanding economic systems and principles is invaluable across virtually every field, whether an art history major finds a job leading a museum or a neurologist ends up managing a medical practice.
What excites me most about the Burgess Institute is how it taps into the talents of our alumni. Through campus visits, case-study discussions and career advice, our alumni share invaluable real-world insights that give our students a competitive edge in today’s economy.
The Burgess Institute was established through a lead gift from Mark ’81 and Lisa Burgess and through gifts from other alumni. In fact, thanks to our alumni community, we saw the biggest investment ever in the academic program last year. You will read about those investments in these pages.
Also thanks to our generous Dickinson community, we are close to reaching our $75 million goal to make sure we can provide scholarships to every Dickinson student who needs one. We are committed to ensuring we provide access to the best and brightest Dickinsonians.
Dickinson continues to move forward at an accelerating pace. Be sure to look through the President’s Report and stay connected to follow our exciting journey.
Read more from the winter 2025 issue of Dickinson Magazine.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published March 20, 2025
