McCARTAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & SECRETARY to the BOARD Within five months of taking this position, I found myself in the thick of our Annual Meeting in Boston. In a packed four days, I came to meet many of our members for the first time. After- wards I remarked to a member of the board that everyone seemed possessed with equanimity. “Of course,” he replied. “You can’t succeed as a dean if you let things get to you!” That was true then, and it has continued to be the case despite nine years of seemingly relentless budget cutbacks and public undermin- ing of the liberal arts. Thanks to the countless hours of time contributed by board members and others, we have grown stronger over these years through our programs and initiatives that connect deans to each other and help to strengthen the arts and sciences. 2006-present Anne-Marie 65