Closing the Year with Gratitude

December 18, 2025

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we close another year at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude.

This year has asked a great deal of all of us. It required focus, adaptability, and trust in one another. Because of your commitment, UHCL did more than meet the moment. We moved forward with purpose.

Across our campus and locations, faculty advanced teaching and scholarship that mattered. Staff ensured our students felt supported, welcomed, and prepared to succeed. Together, you strengthened the experience of every learner who chose UHCL as their next step. That work is not always visible, but its impact is lasting.

This year alone, thousands of UHCL students progressed toward or completed their degrees, and many are already applying what they learned in classrooms, labs, clinics, schools, and workplaces across our region. 

At commencement, one of our student speakers captured the heart of that journey when he said, "Education taught me one of life’s greatest lessons: growth often begins when we step into the unknown and give ourselves permission to learn." That willingness to learn, take risks, and move forward is made possible by the guidance, expertise, and support you provide every day. 

As we look toward the year ahead, we do so with clarity and optimism. UHCL is a university in motion, focused on the next horizon and grounded in the people who make this place exceptional. I am grateful to lead alongside you.

As you step into winter break, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments that matter most to you and your loved ones.

Happy Holidays,

Richard Walker, Ed.D.
President