December 14, 2021

Dear Griffins,

Whether you celebrate the winter solstice, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any other festival this holiday season, I hope you find time to breathe deeply, share gratitude, and create moments of joy with your loved ones. This has been quite a year!

Our status as a fully vaccinated campus enabled us to safely engage again in-person, finding new and re-establishing cherished connections with others. We accomplished so much this fall, from making significant progress on our student success initiatives and bringing back in-person student performances, to enjoying athletic contests at night on Dumke field and starting the tradition of lighting Converse for the holiday season. Our students continue to excel in the classroom and beyond, and many of us are ending the semester with renewed hope and excitement for the future. As profiled in our Year in Review, Westminster made national headlines and accolades, launched an anti-racist action plan, set athletic records, and completed a semester-long expedition course. All of this is possible because of the strength of our community and our shared commitment to education that inspires us to learn, grow, and create the best possible futures for all.

Thank you to the entire Westminster community for your empathy and compassion throughout our changing pandemic circumstances. As the Dance program Chair Meghan Wall said at a recent student performance, “Because you wear masks, we can perform for you safely without them.” Thank you to our students, who came back to campus this fall in even greater numbers with enthusiasm, excitement, and a dedication to learning. Thank you to our faculty, staff, and alumni who found new ways to connect with and support our students and each other; our donors for their continued generosity; and the families who continue to trust us with the education of their students.

Our world will continue to be messy, unpredictable, and challenging, and we will continue to forge a path together built on shared purpose and possibility. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and festive new year, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

With gratitude,
Beth