Subject: Wishing the Reed community a well-deserved and restful break
December 6, 2018
Dear Reed Community:
Just thirteen weeks ago we plunged into an unknown semester. In that time, students have traversed new territory, faculty have completed their regular instruction, and 85 new courses have been introduced. I congratulate you on your individual work, wish you well on your final assignments for the semester, and thank faculty, staff, and students for your collective efforts to sustain and strengthen Reed’s educational mission.
In the course of these weeks, a lot has happened. The Multicultural Resource Center celebrated 25 years of programs supporting students and diversity and inclusion at Reed. Not coincidentally, I met strong candidates for new professorships at Reed, including the newly created major, Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies. The faculty created the Computer Science major, finalized a new set of distribution requirements made available for the first time this semester, and had important early discussions about the possibility of academic minors. The Presidential Search Committee held four forums on campus, hired expert support, and published a compelling statement for prospective applicants. The Ad Hoc Committee on Student Success engaged Keeling and Associates, a firm that specializes in improving learning outcomes for students and institutions, to help us aspire to better support of all students, holding numerous gatherings with students, staff, and faculty. And the Board of Trustees agreed to launch a two-year fundraising effort to support this work over the presidential transition.
In my new role, I enjoyed more frequent contact with faculty and students, memorable meals with student groups, a flag-football game organized by the biology department, ten events with alumni and friends around the country, a fascinating range of conversations with students during office hours, and continued collaboration with my extraordinary staff colleagues. Thanks to everyone for your support and guidance.
And with that, I wish you a well-deserved and restful break in the coming weeks, the shortest days of the year. On your return, we begin the spring semester in a period of dark but lengthening days. As the Reed chorus sang in their December concert: “Du soleilqui renaît bénissons la puissance. Avec tout l'univers célébrons son retour” (Let us bless the power of the reborn sun. With all the universe let us celebrate its return). But first, do go play in the winter snow that is sure to fall in Portland or at the Reed ski cabin up on Mt. Hood.