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Between drafting this letter at the end of last week and finalizing it to send today, we have been enveloped by the ongoing and escalating geopolitical conflict of the Iran war. I am deeply mindful of and concerned by these events and their impact on all of us. Yet in the midst of this turmoil, I don’t want to lose sight of the daily accomplishments of our students and the well-earned excitement of those preparing for graduation. With that in mind, I share below my letter as originally drafted with the acknowledgment that the world today is not that in which I was writing to you just a few short days ago.
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Dear Members of the Sarah Lawrence Community,
We have reached the midpoint of the Spring semester and while the calendar says Spring Break begins this weekend, campus still has remnants of snow from the blizzard we had just last week. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the essential workers who labored tirelessly in incredibly difficult conditions to ensure our campus was safe and our community was cared for.
Because of their efforts, life on campus remained as vibrant as ever. Our winter athletics season concluded with some of the strongest performances in program history, with the women’s basketball team having its best season ever and earning a first-time playoff berth, men’s basketball advancing to the semifinals, and our men’s and women’s swim teams having a season filled with numerous awards and a program-best finish in the Skyline Conference championship. Through it all, our cheer team was there supporting their peers and rallying stands filled with fans. Our stages and studios have been alive with theatre and dance performances, and earlier this week our senior art shows began. So many of the magical moments that happen on this campus are things that most outside our gates will never see; I am privileged to get a glimpse of these. One in particular I’d like to share with you is a snippet from our a capella group Treble in Paradise’s “Acapillow” night. Justin Suozzo ’28 delighted a packed HUB with a centennial-celebrating performance that blended puppetry, song, and standup. It was very good and very Sarah Lawrence. These moments of togetherness, creativity, and shared celebration are potent reminders of why community matters and what an extraordinary community Sarah Lawrence is.
As busy as campus is right now, we will no doubt see and feel the noticeable shift we typically do when campus comes back to life after Spring Break: conversations deepen, projects take shape, and we begin the steady march toward Commencement. I am delighted to announce that Noah Hawley ’89 will deliver the keynote address at Sarah Lawrence College’s 98th Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8.
Noah is one of the most imaginative and accomplished storytellers working today across television, film, and literature. As the creator of acclaimed series including Fargo, Legion, and Alien: Earth, and the author of several celebrated novels, he has built a career defined by intellectual curiosity, creative ambition, and a willingness to explore new forms. His work has earned Emmy, Peabody, Critics’ Choice, Writers Guild, and PEN awards, among many others. As a native Texan, I’m particularly proud to add that he was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame last year.
What makes this announcement especially meaningful is that Noah’s journey began at SLC. The way we learn here — in close collaboration with faculty and peers, across disciplines, and through hands-on work — shaped and continues to animate his career. His path from seminar discussions to internationally recognized storytelling is a powerful reminder, especially in this centennial moment, of where a Sarah Lawrence education can lead.
I look forward to welcoming Noah back to campus as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and continue writing the next chapter in Sarah Lawrence’s history.
Yours,
Cristle Collins Judd
President
president@sarahlawrence.edu
Instagram: @slcprez