Presidential Inauguration

I am grateful for all of the kind and warm congratulations that I have received in celebration of our inaugural activities of last weekend.  I am also thankful for all of you who participated in some way.  Almost two hundred guests arrived to help usher in a new era of leadership and tradition for our thirty-five year old college.

Regardless of the cloudy weather, an atmosphere of warmth and cordiality carried us through the afternoon – along with a Gong Bath performed by alumna Arlene Myers ‘ 89 and Ann Balzarini as well as the traditional Dance of the Lion.

The NESA Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests listened to lovely welcome messages for my presidency.  A big thank you to C.J. Allen ‘99, Steve Kidder, Meagan Smith ’13, and Karen Kirchoff ’96 for their kind words of welcome.  I am so grateful to the Board of Trustees for their support and that of Mrs. Isabel So’s.

The full text of my Inaugural Address can be found here.  My words are based on the many conversations I’ve had with faculty, staff, alumni - and especially the students.  This speech is just the beginning of the discussion of “What are we going to do in our time?” and “Where will NESA be in 10, 20, 30 years”? 

I also shared my vision for “Building Bridges” in areas of innovation and research, partnership creation, acceptance of our profession, and longer-term sustainability.  My visions are big; we will need courage, strength and risk-taking in order to achieve them.  I promise to provide as much communication as possible as we venture forward.  I also appreciate your thoughts and look forward to continuing the conversation with you in the coming weeks and months.

We have much to be grateful for - for our past and for our future.  I am confident that with the help and commitment of our solid community of alumni, students, faculty and staff - we can inspire the future - together!