|
Campus News
I am grateful, particularly during this holiday season, that my two years at Clarke have been filled with the blessings of traditions.
For example, just before Thanksgiving break, students, faculty, and staff came together for the annual Into the Streets event. Sixty members of our community spent a Saturday morning volunteering at ten local non-profit organizations, living our legacy, and contributing to the common good.
Earlier this week, our students’ biannual pottery sale filled Quigley Art Gallery with friendly buyers and sellers and a wide variety of gorgeous ceramics.
Last night we gathered for the seventh annual tree lighting ceremony in front of Mary Frances Hall. This event was followed by the Student Christmas Dinner, brimming with plenty of holiday cheer, food and singing of Christmas carols.
To wrap up our holiday festivities, Santa will be in the atrium on Friday, December 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. as the semester comes to a close.
I wish each of you a joyful holiday season!
Strategic Plan Update
The Strategic Planning Implementation Committee has been meeting monthly to assess progress connected to the plan’s goals and objectives. As a result, an updated version of the Plan will be posted on the President's Strategic Planning site later this month.
One of the objectives of Goal 2 is to “increase and enrich student engagement in academics, co-curricular activities, and residential communities.” Our recently formed Mock Trial student group clearly addresses that objective. We are grateful for the alums and former Board of Trustees members who have volunteered to mentor this group.
Goal 4 of the Plan focuses on Cultivating a Lasting Legacy, and one way to do so is to “empower the Clarke community—trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni—to be culture carriers of our values and heritage.” A new means of addressing that objective launched a few weeks ago with “What’s Up, Sister?” Kathleen Antol, BVM and a member of our Board of Trustees, desired to deepen her connection with Clarke and engage more directly with students. As a result, she has joined Mary Ellen Herbst at the front desk in the atrium, to chat with students and cultivate an additional layer of community identity.
| 
