Hello colleagues and friends across the U of M community!

It’s such a busy season – and it can be a truly challenging one – with end-of-semester projects and anticipated travel and upcoming exams.

Yet each of us still has so much for which we can be thankful.

At the University of Michigan, we are part of a world-class university, a caring family, and a vibrant and growing community.

Each of us can point to an achievement of pride this past semester, a transformative moment or a lasting memory.

So it’s vital that we take time – even if it’s just for a few minutes – to pause, to reflect, to be grateful.

Studies show that gratitude is good for you – it can reduce depression and lessen anxiety, as well as relieve stress, improve sleep and even strengthen heart health.

The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and faculty is my highest priority. It is also a critical impact area of Vision 2034, one that will guide our eyes and footsteps in the days to follow.

In addition to pausing for gratitude, another fantastic way to stay healthy is to go outside.

Making time for outside time, even as the temperature drops, can greatly improve wellness and well-being.

Here at Michigan, we have a university-wide initiative called Nature Rx, which highlights ways to enjoy nature across our campus.

Built into the Michigan app, the Nature Rx feature lets you search by location to find a superb spot to go outside.

While our university is known for its museums and research labs, our campus and its surrounding community are also home to incredible parks, walking paths, and nature trails, beautiful even in the colder weather.

And if you shiver to step outside in the Michigan winter, there are many ways to stay active indoors.

From our fantastic Rec Sports facilities to MHealthy’s free physical activity library on MiVideo, you have choices on how to move and keep your heart strong.

For inspiration on staying fit, we can look to our recent Michigan Olympians and Paralympians.

I’m truly grateful for the success of our student athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics, and this month, they are our Portraits of a Wolverine.

Nearly 50 Wolverines competed in the games this summer, 45 who competed in the Olympics – including 11 who also competed for U of M this past year as well as three who competed in the Paralympics.

Just making it to the games makes one a national champion, a premiere athlete among fierce competitors and peers.

We also had numerous medalists, such as Charlie Swanson who earned a gold as part of the men’s swimming mixed 4×100-meter relay, and Abby Dent who earned a silver on the Canadian rowing team, and Chuck Aoki who won a silver with the USA wheelchair rugby team.

Michigan has an amazing tradition in gymnastics, and this year we also had two gymnasts – Paul Juda and Fred Richard – who were part of the USA’s historic bronze-winning men’s gymnastics team.

I’m so proud of our Olympians and Paralympians, our student athletes, and all of us who dare to achieve at the University of Michigan.

So let’s pause for a moment, take a deep breath from the outdoors, and be grateful for the opportunities and gifts and talents we’ve been given.

Thanks again for joining me, and we’ll see you in December.