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Messages To Students

Summer reflection

August 14, 2015

Dear Harvard College Students,

I hope that each of you is having a wonderful break, whether you are spending time with friends and family, pursuing an internship, or studying abroad. Time away from our everyday academic tasks can be remarkably restorative. I am hopeful that this time away from campus has been as invigorating for you as it has been for my family and me. Continue reading

Looking forward to meeting you

July 31, 2015

Dear Harvard College Class of 2019,

I am so glad that you chose to come to Harvard, and I am very excited to meet you when you arrive on move-in day. In the meantime, I wanted to write to you to share some thoughts as you prepare for this exciting new chapter of your life. Continue reading

Spring Forward

May 16, 2015

Dear Harvard College Students,

With your finals nearly completed and summer approaching, I have been reflecting on my “freshman” year as your Dean: taking on this new role, taking stock of our collective experiences, and contemplating our future work together. Continue reading

ARTS FIRST, Swan Lake and an Unusual Faculty Performance

April 27, 2015

Dear Harvard College Students,

Perhaps you have noticed the banners around the Yard calling attention to the annual ARTS FIRST Festival, which runs this Thursday through Sunday here on campus. With the trees in bloom and the promise of spring in the air, our annual arts festival is a fantastic time to celebrat Continue reading

#crimsonrespect

March 6, 2015

Dear Harvard College Students,

Last night, I received an image of an invitation for a party hosted by an all-male unrecognized student group. The invitation included a link to an accompanying video, which has since been deactivated. The invitation and the video are offensive, crude, and sexist. Continue reading

Happy Holidays

December 18, 2014

Dear Harvard College Students,

As you prepare to leave campus for the holidays, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your presence in our community. Continue reading

Standing Together

December 8, 2014

Dear Harvard College Students,

As I write this letter, I know that my words cannot begin to express the emotions or claim the lived experiences that so many of us are feeling in the wake of the events in Ferguson and Staten Island. But there are moments when we cannot stay silent. So with great humility, I share these few thoughts. Continue reading

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