University of Notre DameGraduate School
From Student to ScholarAugust 19, 2011
Dr. Gregory E. Sterling Dean, The Graduate School
Welcome to the University of Notre Dame
From a Student to a Scholar• From a student researcher to a
scientist
• From a solver of problems posed by a professor to an engineer who solves the problems posed by the larger world
• From a student of the arts to an artist whose stage is the world
A Contrast Between the Undergraduate and Graduate Experience
Institution Specialization
Existential Professional
DependenceIndependence
Social Experience
Central Work Central
Ten Ways that You Know You’re a Graduate Student
10. You discuss academic matters at a sporting event.
11. You consider caffeine to be a major food group.
12. You look forward to taking some time off to do laundry.
13. The professor does not show up for class and you discuss the material anyway.
14. You have difficulty reading anything that does not have footnotes.15. You rate coffee shops by the availability of wireless connections
for your laptop.
16. Saturday nights studying no longer seem weird.
17. You take scholarly articles into bars.
18. You consider spring break a time to get some work done on a paper that you want to submit.
1. You have every minute of the next four months planned but have no idea what you are going to do for the rest of your life.
PrinciplesInnovation or creativity
Skepticism
Academic freedom
Universal or meritocratic standards
Disinterestedness
International Perspective
Ethical Responsibility
Holistic Education
Expertise
Intellectual Breadth
Ethical Perspective
Professionally Prepared
The Graduate School
Introducing . . .
Laura Carlson
Associate Dean
Professional Development
Brian Flaherty
Associate Director
Budget & Operations
John Lubker
Associate Dean of Students
Ed Maginn
Associate Dean
Academic Programs
Nyrée McDonald Associate
Dean Recruitment
& Admissions