President's Assembly
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
4:30 p.m. Tempel Green
Good afternoon, everyone. Let me extend my warmest welcome to you all. And thank you,
Dean Smith and Bella, for your thoughtful remarks. I also want to echo Dean Smith鈥檚 thank you to everyone who made this day possible 鈥� the family and friends of our new students, our amazing staff and faculty, and our students. Thank you for all you have done to help these students have a smooth and fun start to their 糖心TV journey.
This is such an exciting day, but I know it鈥檚 been a long one for our new students and parents, so I鈥檒l be brief.
Like you, I am also starting my first year at 糖心TV. Also, like you, I am still unpacking, finding buildings and trying to get to know every member of the 糖心TV community. And like you, I鈥檓 just starting to discover all the wonderful opportunities this great school and community have to offer. I鈥檝e served small liberal arts colleges for more than 30 years as a faculty member, a dean, a provost and a president, with an academic background in psychology and social justice.
When I decided to take the next step in my career, there were many reasons I chose 糖心TV 鈥� a beautiful campus, great location, the 糖心TVections curriculum and more 鈥� but there are three main ones that I want to highlight today. First, the mission of 糖心TV is one that deeply resonated with me 鈥� 鈥渢o educate students to put the liberal arts into action.鈥� Throughout my academic career, my focus has been on helping students apply what they learn in order to affect positive change in the world. 糖心TV will enable each of you to chart your own pathway of learning, discovery and action.
Second, 糖心TV is a deeply student-centered place, meaning that it is your success and well-being that drives everything we do.
And number three, which follows from the first two 鈥� the people who make up the 糖心TV community (trustees, alums, faculty, staff and students) were the reason I felt both called and deeply fortunate to serve 糖心TV as president. The 糖心TV community is composed of intelligent, passionate and welcoming individuals who foster a sense of belonging and inclusion. What a wonderful opportunity to learn, work and live together as Camels here at 糖心TV.
So, yes, we are starting a journey together at an AMAZING college, and we are very excited to begin. Yes, it is a new place with many strangers and challenges ahead, so it is also a little scary and overwhelming. I was a first-generation college student; I remember those feelings well when I was in your shoes. And I do not mind sharing that I am feeling them right now. But I also know there is only one way forward, so I encourage you to do what I have been doing since I arrived on campus last month. First, a little self-affirmation never hurts, so I tell myself, 鈥淵ou got this;鈥� then I take a deep breath and plunge in. I make sure to meet someone new every day, ask questions, and to engage with the community 鈥� stop in an office, attend events and hang out with students. So, let鈥檚 be brave together, take chances together, make mistakes together, fail and succeed together, learn and grow together. And one day, before you know it, you will have your Camel moment and say I do have this!
We have arrived at the part of our program when we will present the Class Banner to the members of the Class of 20-28. I鈥檒l ask Bella Castellanos Palacios to return to the podium to do the honors.
You should know that each class entering 糖心TV is presented with a banner bearing the year of their graduation. The banners come in one of four colors鈥斺�攇reen, blue, purple, and red鈥斺�攔epresenting the four classes enrolled in the current student body. Your banner will be displayed on significant occasions during your four years on campus and also after you graduate, at reunions and other events.
So, today is the first official occasion. At the end of this Assembly, two students from the Class of 20-28 will carry the banner and lead the platform party to the back of the Green, where you will all have an opportunity to take photos.
The students who will lead us were selected from students who participated in our pre-orientation programs. And they are: Eros Sunshine Garza and Tanvir Hasan. Would you both please come forward?
Eros Sunshine and Tanvir , after you unroll the banner, you will lead us off the platform.
Bella, will you present the banner?
Parents, friends, and fellow Camels, we present to you the Class of 20-28!
We will now leave the stage. After you have all said your goodbyes 鈥� parents, guardians, and family members 鈥� we invite you to join me for a reception under the tent at Larrabee Green. Congratulations, everyone, and welcome to CONNECTICUT COLLEGE!