Greetings on a slightly warming Saturday afternoon. I am deliberately writing my blog early this weekend so I can devote the full measure of my sports angst to Sunday’s NFC championship game between the Eagles and the Commanders. We spent a few days in Philadelphia this week, and virtually every tall building in Center City was bathed in green lights in honor of the Eagles. Philly is not the Emerald City, but the visuals were quite impressive.
It has been an unsettling week for many of us. We are closely monitoring Executive Orders that significantly impact NIH funding and place temporary holds on vitally important and customary engagements of NIH with external stakeholders. It is very hard to know where all this is leading. Has this past week been intended to be a message (and warning) to the scientific community and academic sector?
The leadership of the university is carefully analyzing the many orders to understand any impacts, though clearly, there will be some ramifications. There will be a time for action, but until we know more, action for its own sake may well be counterproductive. We have always been resourceful at Georgetown, seeking diverse sources of support for our work. So, while we must all buckle up for the ride ahead, the roads, however treacherous, will not be unfamiliar, and we will find a way to continue our success.
Perhaps one way we can respond now to external challenges is to re-center our values. We can collectively recommit to the pursuit of discovery and academic excellence, recognize our community in diversity, deliver cura personalis, and always try to be people for others.
Make the world a better place this week.
Lou
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