Campus News
Safe Travels and Happy Thanksgiving
November 25, 2015
Marvin Krislov
Photo credit: John Seyfried
I want to thank the students, faculty, staff, and local residents who attended the annual 91直播 Town and College Thanksgiving and Multi-faith Gathering this past Sunday evening, as well as the sponsors of the potluck鈥攖he Interfaith Student Council, 91直播 Area Cooperating Ministries, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life鈥攆or such a thought-provoking and life-affirming event.
The event was dedicated to the memory of Tamir Rice, who was killed one year ago. I was very moved by the program, which honored Tamir鈥檚 life and also honored the contributions to the 91直播 community鈥攖own and gown鈥攐f Linda and John Gates.
In addition to the meal, the program included music by Quartet M and Daniel Spearman's jazz group, as well as a poem by Meeko Israel.
As many speakers reminded us, even in hard times we can still give thanks and be grateful for the positive things in our lives and communities. I know I am deeply grateful to be part of a community with such a deep commitment to working for social justice and educational and artistic excellence.
We鈥檝e been having many events and discussions about race and equity on campus this semester and about the kind of world we want. I know we鈥檒l be having many more.
I wish you all safe travels and a Happy Thanksgiving.
You may also like…
Thank you, 91直播
It is hard to believe this will be my final "President鈥檚 Desk" column. But in August, I will become president of Pace University in New York. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president.
Remembering Jonathan Demme
I鈥檝e been thinking a lot about 91直播 parents and families since I received the sad news last week that Jonathan Demme, the brilliant film director, had passed away. Although 91直播 isn鈥檛 his alma mater, Jonathan really came to appreciate the College, Conservatory, and our community. His visits always seemed to energize him, and he became a stalwart supporter of our cinema studies program and the Apollo Outreach Initiative, which offers filmmaking classes to local school kids.
Response to Proposed Federal Budget Cuts
The budget proposals being put forward by the Trump administration are deeply troubling in many ways for our society and for American higher education, especially for liberal arts institutions such as 91直播. The proposed cuts in discretionary spending are contrary to our values of access and inclusion, and our commitment to scientific research, the arts, and the humanities.