First, excitement is building for the total solar eclipse that will darken our skies on April 8. Please visit our special eclipse webpage now to take a quick video quiz, get tips for protecting your eyes (and your phone) and see vintage news clippings from the area’s last total solar eclipse, which took place in 1925. I think you’ll be surprised to also see the ways eclipses loom large across our diverse disciplines, from physics, psychology and philosophy to biology and religion. So, brush up your eclipse acumen today, and I’ll see you on the Quad on April 8!

Second, I’d like to shine a light on the 50th anniversary of our fantastic department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (LLL). Across many languages and decades, LLL has helped thousands of students become more connected, compassionate and culturally informed. I can think of no mission more meaningful, and I encourage you to attend the “Women’s Experiences Around the World” exhibition in Bird Library, which runs through March 31.

Finally, the College recently put the finishing touches on the draft of its new Academic Strategic Plan (ASP). This document codifies our areas of distinctive excellence and outlines the values and vision that will propel us for the next five years. If you haven’t had a chance to look it over, I invite you to do so now. It certainly stirred my pride to see such a strong affirmation of our commitment to teaching and research that advance the liberal arts as a public good. It is my hope that you feel that same pride, too.