Dear Campus Community,
You learn a lot about a place when you see how it builds community.
When I arrived at Colorado College this summer, our Alumni and Family Relations team presented me with a gorgeous book that they created, filled with images of the beautiful Colorado College campus and Pikes Peak region, facts about the college and the area, and the best part – tips and suggestions from students, alumni, staff, and faculty, sharing their favorite restaurants, hikes, places on campus, and things to do in this new place we now call home. The welcome continued in person, with faculty, staff, and students who brought me books and snacks, and shared their favorite places to visit. It is exciting to join this community of people who love this college and this area so much.
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In late summer, I could feel the energy and excitement grow as first our fall athletes, then our Bridge Scholars, then our new students, and finally our returning students arrived on campus. And they did so with joy. No longer do any of us take for granted the ability to come together. Our students are thrilled to be on campus, in person, experiencing classes, activities, residential living, athletics, intramurals, clubs and so much more — after more than a year when that wasn’t safely possible because of the pandemic. Because the majority of our campus community is vaccinated, we can do this. Our COVID efforts this year are about moving forward, educating and supporting students on campus, and managing life with the virus as best we can.
In late July, we suffered a devastating loss when Vice President for Information Technology Services/Chief Technology Officer Brian Young passed away unexpectedly. Brian’s warmth, sense of humor, care for our students, staff, and faculty, and dedicated leadership were obvious to everyone who met him. We came together on Tava Quad to hear how he positively impacted Colorado College. This year, we will initiate a new President’s Leadership Award for service to the college in honor of Brian. We miss him.
Last week, we lost a pillar of our campus community, David van Diest Skilling ’55. Van was a dedicated alumnus who led admirably as chair of our board, shared his business acumen as former chairman and CEO of Experian by teaching a block in Economics and Business every year, and was a dear friend to many. I had the good fortune to be with Van twice since my arrival — at a May celebration to honor former President Jill Tiefenthaler and again at our June board retreat. Van had a knack for connecting meaningfully with each person he met. He was well loved.
As I settle into my role, understandably many people want to meet with the new president about things they want to change and ways we can do better. I’m struck by how much they care about our students, the college, and all the people who make it the distinctive, special place it is. They care what our future looks like, and dream about what that may be. All of these and more upcoming conversations will be part of what I’m currently calling Project 2024. We will spend this year asking how we can continue to do what we do better, next year determining how to do it, and a final year doing it — in time for the college’s 150th anniversary in 2024. I’m thrilled that Professor of History and former Dean Susan Ashley has agreed to coordinate this exciting work. You will hear more about this soon.
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Last week was a special time to see the extended CC community, as we came together to cut the ribbon on the new Ed Robson Arena and the Yalich Student Services Center. Excited students, staff, faculty, alumni, trustees, and Tigers fans got their first glimpse of these beautiful new spaces that will enhance the ways we support students and celebrate CC.
We’ve now arrived at our first block break of the year — a moment to reflect. It’s clear to me that Colorado College is a strong, dedicated community, and one of great promise. We provide students with tools, knowledge, and guidance. We prompt them to explore, grow, and discover themselves. We cheer as they strike out on paths we can’t even imagine.
In return, they push us to do what we do better. We are buoyed by their energy and innovative thinking.
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I have a collection of picture frames in my office. Over my time here, I will fill them with images of special moments — of sharing, connection, and camaraderie. Of friendships, hard work, commitment, and celebration. I can’t wait to see that visual story of this fantastic community emerge. Thank you for being an essential part of it.
Sincerely,
L. Song Richardson
President
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