GREETINGS FROM THE FACULTY

Carol Clark, Secretary of the Faculty 

On behalf of the Faculty, I welcome James F. Jones, Jr. to the Presidency of Trinity and to the ranks of the Faculty in his role as Professor of the Humanities.  Each President of the College brings a particular set of qualities to the position--qualities that allow him or her to provide a sense of purpose and direction for the College.

As a fellow teacher and scholar, Jimmy shares the ideals of the academy with the Faculty.  He has held positions as distinguished lecturer and research fellow and has shown great accomplishment as a teacher.  His outstanding commitment to the intellectual and personal development of students has been publicly and warmly acknowledged.

At this point in the College’s history, we are fortunate to have the opportunity for collaboration with a true colleague.  As a Faculty we have a long tradition of devising successful ways to enable and encourage students to learn: for example, our guided studies program for academically gifted students, our individualized degree program for adult students, our student-research programs in the sciences, and our many community-learning initiatives.  In all these programs and in our work with students in general, our goal is the development of a critical mind and a life-long engagement in learning born from a sense of shared responsibility.

In an age when public debate is conducted by slogans and when the media has abandoned any pretense of impartiality, these qualities are more important than ever.  Our work as educators is vital in helping the future leaders of our society to think critically and to learn for themselves.

With these challenges before us, we welcome a colleague with whom we can shape a compelling plan for the future direction of the College: we must make change where change is due and recognize where to preserve and nurture that which is most valuable to us.  This task will demand not only a clear vision, but also inspiration from those within the College--a challenge for which President Jones possesses all the necessary qualities, experience and skills. 

We thus welcome James Jones as both President and Professor and as a partner in Trinity's central mission of education.  We look forward to a leadership that helps students to lead examined lives that are personally satisfying, civically responsible and socially useful.  Welcome.