Me, tickled by something or other
Today is the anniversary of the day I officially assumed the presidency of Sweet Briar. I couldn’t let it pass without expressing my continuing gratitude for the opportunity to serve this wonderful College and my appreciation for the students, faculty, staff, Directors, neighbors, and friends of Sweet Briar with whom I now have the privilege of working.
Readers of this blog, and of other communications from me since the fall, know that this has not been the easiest of years. There have been many challenges, some of them entirely unpredictable. The loss of friend and colleague Eleanor Salotto, the need to make difficult and even painful budgetary adjustments, and — on a purely personal level — the death of my mother: these were all unforeseen developments which I shared with the extended Sweet Briar community.
But as I review the year, what stands out is what I did foresee: the wonderful students who showed me their research presentations, ate corndogs with me in Prothro, came over to Sweet Briar House in their PJs for a late-night party, told me the stories of their successes, asked my advice about their problems, and welcomed me into their traditions.
And the faculty, from whom I learned so much this year — about Shakespeare plays, about the habits of local salamanders, about leadership, about the challenges of making prosthetic hands, about Roman theatrical tastes and American spiritualists and Italian engravings and so much else. . .
And the alumnae, who tell wonderful stories and offer gracious hospitality and whose love for their College is palpable.
In short, after a year of serving as a College president, I still believe that what I said to the search committee on one occasion was absolutely true. They asked me why, when private liberal arts colleges are facing so many challenges, any sensible person would want to become president of one. And I said, basically, “because educating young people is simply the best and more important work there is.” (And I’m not sure whether I said this or not, but the truth is it’s fun to boot.) Every day, I feel fortunate to serve an institution where that work happens every day, across the curriculum, in classes and out.
So, onward into year 2!
