Hello CC Community,
I am excited to welcome you to the start of our first academic year together.
The energy on campus is remarkable — so much anticipation, hope and ambition, and certainly some trepidation, too.
The true test of the strength of a community is not measured by the things we do and are able to accomplish when things are going well. The true test of the strength of a community is measured by how we react to challenges. Everything I’ve learned and am now experiencing myself, about how we come together and continue to come together as a community to support one another, is extraordinary.
Your incredible strength and resilience are inspiring. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and to contribute along with you to our continued success.
You may be waiting to hear what many of you have asked since I arrived, “What is your vision for Colorado College?” My answer is always the same, one I’ve already shared with many of you: It’s not my vision. It’s our vision.
As I look ahead to what I hope we achieve together at Colorado College, I invite you to join me as we ask ourselves: How can we do what we do better? As I learned from Professor Emerita and former Dean of the College Susan Ashley’s noteworthy book, “The Block Plan: An Unrehearsed Educational Venture,” when CC developed what became the Block Plan more than 50 years ago, we put everything on the table in service of our mission to provide the finest liberal arts education in the country.
Why not do that again?
This year, let’s dare to dream together. Let’s dare to hope. Let’s dare to imagine how we can do what we do better. Our mission to provide the finest liberal arts education in the country, coupled with the challenges facing higher education today, require this of us. We don’t have the luxury of remaining the same, or of moving slowly. Fortunately, that’s not our culture. We thrive on intensity. We thrive on ingenuity. We thrive in situations like this.
So, I’m looking forward to our journey together.
This year, we will continue to navigate the global pandemic. In partnership with leaders from across campus, we’ve implemented a comprehensive COVID response plan to manage and mitigate risk. And we will continue to adapt as necessary based on the changing landscape. We acknowledge that there are risks that accompany our immersive, in-person learning experience and will do everything within our power to take care of our entire community.
As part of the CC community, we must all do our part to reduce the risk of the COVID-19 spread. Wearing masks, getting vaccinated, staying home when feeling unwell, and participating in our COVID testing program are all critical elements of CC’s plan. Doing so will allow us to continue to care for each other’s well being. Our commitment to staying vigilant will help us to continue to provide the finest liberal arts education to our students and to do so in person on campus.
It is an honor to be your new president. My own history motivates me to create environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive. Where everyone sees themselves as part of the vision for our amazing institution.
I’m not blind to the obstacles and challenges that we face, but as one of our alumni told me recently, there are no bad days. Only days where we can learn from our experiences. I am confident in our ability to thrive, care for each other, and move forward as a community to dream, hope, and imagine our future together.
Welcome to the start of our 2021-22 academic year.
Sincerely,
L. Song Richardson
President
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