September 7, 2016

Dear Members of the Trinity College Community,

I am excited to welcome everyone back for this, the 193rd, academic year! Last Thursday, we gathered with new students and families for a wonderful Convocation with all the trimmings: academic robes, caps, and tassels; a traditional lemonade toast; and the Trinity College Chapel Singers performing “’Neath the Elms.” My favorite part was hearing highlights about some of the 575 students in the multitalented Class of 2020. (Check out remarks by Angel Pérez, V.P. for enrollment and student success.)

In addition to new students, we have quite a few new faculty and staff members. See which offices and departments have new members via this story on the Trinity website. Please introduce yourself and see how you can help those who are getting their bearings on campus.

Speaking of our beautiful campus, you will see exciting developments, including newly renovated space in the Cave on the lower level of Mather; the revamped football field and track (alongside new fields projects for baseball, soccer, and softball that are under way); and the Crescent Street Building project, soon to transition from design to construction. I’m particularly fond of that project, which will bridge neuroscience and the arts and incorporate new community gathering spaces.

While Convocation was the official start of the year, this first week of classes is when we really dive in. As you prepare to immerse yourself in the educational and intellectual opportunities that beckon, let me extend two important invitations. First, I invite you to take a look back at the past year at Trinity, via this 2015-2016 Annual Report​. I believe you will find there is much to take pride in and many accomplishments upon which we can build further in 2016-17.

Second, I invite you to take an active part in planning for the future of Trinity College. This is an important year in our history as our Bicentennial Strategic Planning efforts get seriously under way. Please join me at a kickoff event for Strategic Planning this Thursday, September 8, during Common Hour, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., in the newly renovated Cave. I’ll look forward to seeing you there and along the Long Walk.

And, once again, welcome back!

Sincerely,

Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College
Professor of Neuroscience