*“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” 

Dear University Community, 

Happy New Year and welcome to the spring semester! I hope you had a chance to rest and relax, and that you are re-energized for the important and impactful work of our University. Together, we educate the leaders of the future, we expand the frontiers of knowledge, promote understanding, and make a difference for our state, our country and the world.  

I am in awe of the resilience and steadfast dedication displayed by our community last semester, as we tackled global and local uncertainties, conflicts and challenges, and worked together to pursue excellence. Like so many of you, I believe that our strength as a community comes from being united in purpose — which is why I so frequently and proudly talk about the “We Are” spirit of Penn Staters. For me, these words signify a sense of unity, belonging and determination.  

This brings me to the second reason for sharing this message with you. I ask that we re-commit ourselves to the core values which have served for eight years as our guiding light—the principles that we wish to embody.  

• Integrity and honesty in all encounters. 
• Respect for the rights, differences and dignity of all. 
• Community, where we work together for the betterment of our University, those we serve and the world. 
• Responsibility and accountability for our actions. 
• Discovery, where we seek and create new knowledge and understanding.
• Excellence as our goal in all endeavors. 

At the start of this new year, let us each resolve to embrace and live these values. When we live by the values we espouse, we ensure that all communities — whether based in religion, race, culture, world-view or any other uniting principle — are welcome on our campuses. We remain committed to the free and civil exchange of ideas, and we are dedicated to the dignity of every single person at Penn State.   

I take comfort in the famous quote at the head of this note, which over time has been attributed to multiple individuals. Whatever challenges lie before us, my leadership team and I are confident in the strength, expertise, character and resilience each of you brings to the table as Penn Staters.  

I look forward to a productive semester and our continuing work together. Thank you for being a part of the Penn State family. 

Sincerely, 

Neeli Bendapudi 

*Aphorism attributed to multiple writers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson.