Dean of the College of Letters & Science | Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy
College of Letters & Science l Department of Astronomy
Eric M. Wilcots is the twelfth dean of the College of Letters & Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy in the Department of Astronomy, his home department since 1995.
Prior to assuming the role of dean in 2019, he served as deputy dean of the college and associate dean for research, as well as associate dean for natural sciences.
During the largest enrollment expansion in the history of the university, Dean Wilcots has welcomed some of the largest classes of undergraduates to L&S. More students and a changing economy mean increased demand for facilities and programs. Under Dean Wilcots’ guidance and leadership, the new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) was integrated into the college, meeting student demand for course offerings and opening doors to productive partnerships in the tech ecosystem. In January 2022, Dean Wilcots celebrated the opening of the new Chemistry Tower, a state-of-the art space designed to accommodate enormous student demand, and he is currently presiding over the design and construction of a new L&S academic building, Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, as well as a new facility for CDIS on campus, Morgridge Hall.
Dean Wilcots received his undergraduate degree in astrophysical sciences from Princeton University and his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Washington.
Talks:
Curiosity Driven Research Drives Innovation
At time when our focus is, rightfully, on research that has a direct impact on improving the lives of people and their communities, it is important to remember that the knowledge and the technology we take for granted today is the results of curiosity-driven research. It may take years or even decades for the impact of curiosity-driven research to be felt in our everyday lives, but that impact typically asking a curiosity-based question. We must celebrate and broadly support this type of research because we cannot predict what its ultimate impact will be.
Preparing Students for Success
An important component of the mission of the College of Letters & Science and our commitment to students and their families is to prepare students for success after graduation. The liberal arts and sciences education in L&S provides students with the approach, experience, and tools they need to pursue their aspirations and yet often faces skepticism about its value. SuccessWorks – our innovative career services initiative – helps students translate their liberal arts and sciences degree into careers all across the economy while engaging our vast alumni network and employers. At its heart, SuccessWorks prepares our students to answer the question “what are you going to do with that major?”
The Ecology of Galaxies
Galaxies are the fundamental building block of the structure of the Universe and, more often than not, reside in groups and clusters. Galaxies maintain a dynamic relationship with their environment; they can both influence their environment through feedback from jets powered by supermassive black holes while also being influenced by the environment. This talk explores how the evolution of galaxies drives and is driven by their environment.