Updates following the Board of Trustees Meeting-February 2026
Dear Members of the Trinity College Community,
This winter season has showcased Trinity at its very best.
Across campus and beyond, excellence has been unmistakable. We see it when our students use liberal arts learning to build creative and innovative solutions, as we witnessed during the fourth annual Summit Innovation Challenge. Excellence also is visible in the ways our graduates make a difference in the world at large, as we celebrated during the presentation of the President’s Medal for Science and Innovation to D. Holmes Morton IDP’79, H’90 for his extraordinary impact on the field of genomic medicine and on the lives of children with rare genetic diseases.
And excellence is evident among our student-athletes who continue to elevate the College’s visibility and spirit. In recent weeks, our men’s and women’s squash teams earned their 19th consecutive NESCAC Championship titles and will compete for national titles in Philadelphia; men’s basketball captured its third consecutive NESCAC Championship and is on the road to defending its national title; and our eighth annual Trinity Athletics Giving (TAG) Week set new records, with more than 2,700 donors contributing more than $1.7 million in direct support of our scholar-athletes.
These accomplishments reflect the extraordinary talent and impact of the Bantam community.
It was in this context that the Board of Trustees convened last week for its February meeting. Our time together focused on celebrating momentum and advancing the strategic work that will ensure Trinity’s continued strength.
Advancing Our Academic Mission
The board recognized the achievement of Rasha Ahmed in economics, who was promoted to full professor. Ahmed, whose research examines how markets, policy, and technological change shape urban and environmental outcomes, is a longtime and valued member of Trinity’s faculty. Her work and her commitment to challenging students to think critically about complex economic questions reflect the intellectual rigor at the heart of Trinity’s academic mission.
The board also approved important amendments to the Faculty Manual, the result of nearly two years of careful, iterative, and collaborative work among trustees, administrators, and faculty. Trustees recognized the sustained and thoughtful efforts of the faculty to address five areas of concern previously raised by the board. This work represents meaningful progress in strengthening trust and transparency in shared governance at Trinity.
Investing in Our Campus and Our Future
In December, Trinity secured approval for a new bond issuance that refinanced maturing bonds and generated $13 million in new working capital for critical campus investments. During the meeting, the board approved a series of bond-funded projects that will directly enhance the student experience while advancing responsible stewardship of our physical campus. These include upgrades to first-year residence halls; modernization of classroom technology, furniture, and finishes; renovations to the Paul D. Assaiante Tennis Center and the addition of lights to the softball field; and the next phase of our heating and cooling master plan, which involves replacement of underground pipes in the area of Gates Quad.
The board also approved moving forward with construction of the Elizabeth Elting Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a purpose-built home for entrepreneurial learning made possible by the extraordinary generosity of former Trustee Liz Elting ’87. The new space represents Trinity’s commitment to preparing students not only to think critically but also to build, launch, and lead in a rapidly evolving world.
Positioning Trinity for the Future
The trustees engaged in a thoughtful discussion about Trinity’s emerging institutional approach to artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, administrative effectiveness, and strategic innovation. Led by Vice President for Library and Information Technology Services Kristen Eshleman, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sonia Cardenas, and Associate Vice President and Chief Data Officer David Andres ’04, the conversation underscored our responsibility to ensure that Trinity remains at the forefront of liberal arts institutions preparing students for a transforming world.
In a conversation led by Director of Athletics and Recreation Gavin Viano, trustees examined the reach and impact of Trinity Athletics, not only as a source of competitive excellence but also as a powerful driver of enrollment interest, alumni engagement, campus vitality, and national visibility. Athletics touches nearly every dimension of Trinity life and plays an important role in advancing our institutional profile.
We also reviewed continued progress in fundraising and alumni engagement, strengthened by meaningful connections with alumni and families across the country. These efforts are essential to sustaining the culture of excellence that defines Trinity.
Looking Ahead
The February meeting reinforced that Trinity is building with intention. We are investing in facilities, strengthening enrollment strategies, modernizing our infrastructure, and expanding experiential learning opportunities. At the same time, we remain grounded in the academic rigor, creativity, and community spirit that distinguishes the College.
Excellence is not a single achievement; it is a shared commitment, renewed each day across classrooms, stages, laboratories, and athletics venues.
Thank you for the dedication you bring to Trinity. Our progress reflects collective effort, and our future depends on continued collaboration and ambition.
With appreciation,
Daniel G. Lugo
President, Trinity College
