Dear Readers, An old Eskimo adage offers the following blessing: “May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!” That is my wish for the members of our community as we prepare to spend time with family and loved ones this holiday season—that we each find warmth, light, [...]
Dear Readers, I was very pleased when Manuel Carballo accepted my invitation to write a guest post this week. As the new director of admissions, he brings to campus a dynamic viewpoint about what it takes to create the type of diverse, welcoming community we all would like to live in. I look forward to [...]
Dear Readers, I asked Tara Affolter, visiting assistant professor of education studies, and Hector Vila, assistant professor of writing, to share with us their philosophy about advising students. In this week’s post, Tara and Hector discuss their role as advisers—of the whole student. They provide an enlightening viewpoint. Please chime in with your comments and [...]
Sometimes, when my day gets hard or overwhelming, I make myself stop—and take a deep breath. I try to tune in to the moment, right now, and see the gifts around me. There are some times during the day when this is a good practice, and there are also certain times of the year when [...]
I was very pleased when first-year student Sayre Weir accepted my invitation to participate in a student-life panel at the trustee retreat, to offer her early impressions about the College. And I am delighted that Sayre has decided to share this experience with the Middlebury community as guest blogger this week. As always, I look [...]
I believe we are at a tipping point at Middlebury. This moment and opportunity will require real commitment and the generation of creative and serious solutions as we look for ways to improve student-life options on campus. The process began last year with the alcohol survey and the student forum on alcohol—and is continuing now [...]
Dear Readers, I have had the honor of working together with Janet Rodrigues ’12 on the Community Council in her role as a member and now as co-chair. As my guest blogger this week, I asked her to share her views about some of the challenges students face on this campus. She has more than [...]
As we start the school year together, I am so pleased to see you all, rested and energized, and ready to tackle the opportunities ahead. I hope you had an engaging, yet restorative summer. I know I did, and I am excited to begin the year with you anew. The beginning of the school year [...]
Summer is upon us, bringing with it a change to the normal routine of our lives. Our graduates are heading off into the world. Language Schools are starting, and the campus will soon be bubbling into an international metropolis. Around Middlebury, we’ll shortly see gardens overflowing with color and fields mowed into transfixing patterns of [...]
It’s hard to believe that I will soon finish my first year as dean of the College. Last September, I said in this blog that coming back to Middlebury felt like coming home. And now, after months of incredibly rewarding work, I wake up every day knowing that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to [...]
