Dear Members of the Class of 2008:

As the days count down towards one of the signal moments of your lives, I want to share with you my appreciation for all you have accomplished and all you have given to Trinity College during your undergraduate years.

You have learned so much from our dedicated and talented faculty, as well as from one another—and, we have, in turn, learned a great deal from you. You are the first class with whom I have spent all four years, and you will always remain special to me.

Because of that, I hope you will indulge me this year as your Commencement speaker. And, as I prepare my remarks, I ask each of you to forward to me any recollections or recognitions that you want me to include, if possible.  I hope you will consider me as your first-year partner in the journey we have all taken together, and I look forward to sharing this special day with you.

As tradition holds, we will announce, following the Faculty Meeting on May 6, the names of our three honorands—three people who have distinguished themselves in the field of higher education who will be recognized during the Commencement exercises.

The lawn of the Quad is quickly returning to its natural state, and as you know, the Long Walk will not be completed until August.  However, our Buildings and Grounds staff and our contractors are now doing everything possible (including using weekend hours) to open the Long Walk itself from the south end (near Hamlin) to the Fuller Arch so that you can follow the tradition of stepping across the Luther-Roosevelt Inscription in front of the Fuller Arch at Northam Towers.  If the weather will just cooperate between today and your Commencement, we think we may have a chance to accomplish what will be a significant feat.

Please also note that on Saturday, May 17, following Baccalaureate, my wife and I welcome you to bring your families to our home for a special reception in honor of your class: as far as we know, the first time such a reception will be held.

In the coming weeks, I wish you the best with your studies, and I wish you a safe time as you celebrate your years together.

You are indeed the Long Walk class, and I shall always think of the Class of 2008 each time I walk upon it in the years to come.  My fondest hope is that you will do the same each time you return home to Trinity as the future unfolds about you.

 Yours very truly,

James F. Jones, Jr.
President and Trinity College 
  Professor in the Humanities