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Dear Members of the Sarah Lawrence Community,
I hope you are enjoying these waning days of summer. Here on campus, the ramp up to opening day has definitely begun! Last week, we welcomed Resident Advisors (RAs) on Wednesday and fall student athletes on Thursday. These early arrivals bring a preview of the activity and excitement we’ll soon be immersed in as we welcome new students on August 31 and returning students on September 3. I was delighted to host the annual “welcome back” cookout at the President’s House for RAs at the end of their first day of training, providing a few hours of R&R as they prepare to support their fellow students. Under the leadership of Interim Dean of Studies & Student Life Jody Spooner and his team, this year we are especially focused on wellbeing, engagement, and community building, activities in which our RAs play a critical leadership role.
Also last week, I hosted—via Zoom—one of my favorite events: the New Student & Family Welcome. During the pandemic we discovered—and have continued to develop—our ability to connect virtually with families before their arrival, which leads to a much smoother and less hectic move-in day for all. I was joined by Jody, Provost Kanwal Singh, and First Year Dean Nahal Kaivan in the first of what will be many interactions with our newest students and their families as they embark on this milestone transition.
We’re now less than two weeks away from the first day of classes! Coupled with the sense of eager anticipation as we prepare for the start of the semester is a sense of urgent timeliness as we launch our academic year event series on the theme History Matters.
From its founding, Sarah Lawrence has committed to be a vibrant intellectual hub for knowledge and a community dedicated to discovery, discussion, debate, and dialogue. Each year since my arrival, we have undertaken a now-annual series that “explores a timely topic in great depth and through varied perspectives,” from Democracy & Education in 2017 to Difference in Dialogue; E Pluribus Unum; Justice; and Belonging.
This year, as we embark on History Matters, we do so at a time when an understanding of history has arguably never been more important. Simply put, History Matters will explore the matters, the “stuff,” of history, and how historical knowledge is formulated alongside the critical importance of historical awareness… why history matters. As James Baldwin trenchantly observed in “Stranger in the Village” (1953), “People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.” The History Matters series, led by historian and Associate Dean Lyde Sizer and History faculty member Matthew Ellis, will draw us into the ways in which deep and nuanced engagement with the historical past and an understanding of how it has been used and construed can provide a context for informing our interpretation of, and actions in, the present.
Our first event will take place on Wednesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. ET. Melissa Murray, a leading scholar of constitutional law and the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at NYU School of Law, will lead a timely discussion on reproductive rights and justice, emphasizing the power of historical knowledge and historical thinking in addressing the issues of today. Professor Murray will join us at the Barbara Walters Campus Center and both the College community and the public are invited to attend; the event will also be streamed live for those unable to join us in person. Learn more and register on the History Matters site, where you’ll also find future events as they’re added to the calendar.
In this critical moment, it is imperative that we as a college have these conversations, and it is a privilege as a community to host them. History matters. I hope you will join me, both on September 7 and throughout the year, and I look forward to all the good work we will do together.
With my best wishes for a productive and engaging semester,
Cristle Collins Judd
President
president@sarahlawrence.edu
Instagram: @slcprez
Welcome, Class of 2026!
As you know, first year applications to SLC reached an all-time high this year (5,186!), and I’m happy to report that our applicant pool grew not only in size, but in strength. The incoming class is composed of 390 dynamic, thoughtful students from 42 states and 30 countries who are eager to bring their curiosity and creativity to SLC. We can’t wait to have them here in just over a week. As a reminder, visit the New Students site for all the latest information.
In Case You Missed It: Recent News & Events
We previewed this year’s theme of History Matters during Reunion in June, in a lively conversation with alumna, author, and prominent historian Dr. Amanda Foreman ’91.
Kelle Steenblock MS, LGC has been named director of Sarah Lawrence’s new genomics institute, the creation of which I shared with you in this newsletter last November. The institute continues SLC’s history of creating innovative educational programs to meet critical societal needs, and builds on our leadership in the field of genetic counseling. As director, Kelle will build the institute from the ground up, developing the strategy and assembling the team to successfully launch the institute, its programs, and its partnerships. Welcome, Kelle!
Earlier this month, students, staff, faculty, and partners from local organizations gathered to celebrate the thriving relationship between the College and the community. Students shared their internship work, longtime (and just-retired) Community Partnerships director Mara Gross was honored, and new director Nelson Rodriguez was introduced. Congratulations Mara, and welcome Nelson!
Semester Information Site
Information on COVID-19 protocols for the fall semester, including our campus visitor policy, has been updated on our Semester Information Site. As always, I encourage you to refer to this site as a resource throughout the semester.