President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Lorraine Arvin retirement announcement
October 5, 2020
Dear Reed staff, faculty, and students,
I write today to share the important news that Lorraine Arvin, Reed College Vice President and Treasurer, has announced her intention to retire from her position at the college in August.
Lorraine has served with distinction as a dedicated leader since 2014 and has played a significant role in the college’s response to this pandemic and related issues. During her tenure, she has skillfully managed an expansive portfolio of responsibilities that comprises overseeing the college’s finances, including the college’s endowment, facilities services, human resources, environmental health and safety, and auxiliary operations. This work has built a new level of shared understanding of our financial position on campus, confidence by external agencies in the college’s financial strength, and a strong foundation for the college’s educational mission. Lorraine has worked closely with the board of trustees in the areas of finance, risk management, and the physical plant, earning trustees’ respect and appreciation.
Lorraine shepherded many major projects at Reed, including important facilities improvements. Most notably, she oversaw the addition of the 180-bed Trillium residence hall and renovations to the cross-canyon residence halls, greatly improving the quality of life for students living on campus. An exceptional manager, Lorraine has guided leadership transitions in the business office and facilities services after the retirements of long-serving and much-loved staff members Tracy Frantel and Towny Angell. She also worked with the board of trustees to create the new position of Chief Investment Officer and recruited talented leadership to that role.
In all of this work, Lorraine has maintained an unswerving focus on the college’s mission, the health and welfare of the college community, and the importance of ethical management. She has led in a careful and measured way, ever mindful of the importance of preserving the integrity of the academic mission and the long-term health of the college. I have very much enjoyed my time working with Lorraine and want to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude for her support for me in my first year as Reed’s president and for her extraordinary leadership during this pandemic.
Please join me in expressing our best wishes to Lorraine for her future endeavors and our thanks for her service to the college. We will find ways as a community to celebrate her remarkable service in the coming months.
My best,
Audrey
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Audrey Bilger
President