From the president
What makes Trinity special
As I begin my tenure as Trinity’s 23rd president, I am filled with excitement and hope for our shared future. These first days in Hartford have left me awestruck by our community and the genuine sense of history, energy, and possibility that radiates from Trinity’s campus. From the Long Walk to the Raether Library and Information Technology Center to the new Scully Center, there is a palpable sense that something unique and transformative happens here.
That feeling of awe has been surpassed only by the warmth of the welcome I have received. In conversations with alumni, I am inspired by your deep passion for and pride in Trinity, as well as your thoughtful ideas for building on our strengths. You give testimony to Trinity’s enduring value—how it taught you to think critically, to question assumptions, and to engage with the world as informed citizens. The many stories I’ve heard of friendships, mentorship, and professors reshaping life trajectories are powerful reminders of the profound impact we have.
Our faculty are equally inspiring. They produce world-class scholarship and share bold ideas for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative teaching—honoring our liberal arts tradition while preparing students for an evolving world. From our staff, I hear a commitment to excellence that extends beyond job descriptions—a genuine care for student success and our mission that shines through in countless daily acts of service.
And our students? They are asking big questions, challenging us to think more boldly and demonstrating the kind of intellectual courage that makes me deeply optimistic about the future.
From what I have heard about our community and know about higher education, I believe Trinity stands at the threshold of an extraordinary chapter. Navigating it successfully will require the full engagement of alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends. While change is inevitable—especially in this time of unrelenting and unpredictable challenges for higher education—I believe the opportunities ahead for Trinity are numerous and significant.
I look forward to hearing your voices and drawing on your wisdom as we shape our vision for Trinity’s future. Your engagement matters. I often return to two guiding questions: How is the world a better place because of our commitment to liberal arts education? And what makes Trinity’s approach to education and student development truly distinctive among our peers?
I believe that at Trinity, we cultivate skills of discernment, ethical reasoning, and intellectual curiosity in ways that even the most powerful technology and AI cannot replicate. We foster the nuanced understanding that comes from wrestling with complex ideas alongside brilliant peers and dedicated faculty mentors. We develop not only skilled graduates but also thoughtful human beings prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.
The liberal arts tradition that has served us for centuries must be nurtured and protected. In an age of information overload, our graduates emerge with invaluable strengths: mental dexterity, effective communication, adaptability, and sophisticated information literacy—the ability to cut through the noise to identify what is accurate and important. These capabilities—rooted in rigorous academic inquiry, enhanced by immersive learning beyond the classroom, and strengthened through close human relationships—represent the irreplaceable value of what we do.
It is a deep honor to serve as Trinity’s president. I look forward to creating more opportunities for our community to come together, to reflect on our shared values, and to recommit to the mission that unites us across generations.
Let us optimistically and bravely seek possibility—together as a united community. On behalf of my family, thank you for your warm welcome and support.
With gratitude and excitement,
Dan Lugo
President
