September 14, 2026
Dear Tufts community,
I want to extend a warm welcome as we formally commence a new academic year. There is palpable excitement as we welcome new students to our campuses, greet our returning students, and watch the clinical work, rotations, and experiential learning activities in which our health sciences students have already been engaged for several weeks.
When I reflect on last year and look forward to all that is to come, I’m struck by the momentum that we have achieved. I see it on our athletic fields (where, last year, the Jumbos won four national championships), in our classrooms and research labs, on our stages and in our studios, and in the community, where hundreds of our faculty, staff, and students will volunteer later this week as part of our annual day of service. (It’s not too late to register.)
Tufts continues to be bolstered by our alumni and friends who have donated both their time and their funds to support the university. In fact, last year, we achieved nearly $230 million in fundraising. Through these funds we have been able to hire new faculty members, support faculty research, and enhance student services. This philanthropy has also allowed us to increase financial aid through programs such as the Tufts Tuition Pact, which provides a tuition-free undergraduate education to those whose families make less than $150K a year.
Though there are headwinds, I have every confidence that this will be another great year for our university. The first initiatives born from the Tufts Beyond 175 Strategic Plan will go into effect this year, savings from the Operating Model Transformation (OMT) effort will allow us to reinvest in our teaching and research mission, and we will continue to support students through increased investments in student services.
As we look to launch the university beyond its 175 years, it is only appropriate that we take a moment to celebrate all that we have collectively achieved over our history. We stand on the shoulders of the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends who have come before us. We will be celebrating the 175th anniversary of Tufts University throughout the year, culminating in a week of academic events, social gatherings, and community service opportunities in April 2027. A university-wide committee has been created to organize these events, and I thank all the committee members for their efforts towards this endeavor. If you have suggestions or comments, please feel free to write to president@tufts.edu.
So, once again, welcome to an academic year of endless possibilities. I look forward to supporting you in our continued quest to build on our momentum.
Best regards,
Sunil