Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

President John E. Jones III '77, P'11, Welcomes Students Back to Campus

Dickinson President John E. Jones III '77, P'11, recently sent the following welcome message to the Dickinson community:

To the Dickinson community, 

I hope you had time for some rest and relaxation this summer, and I look forward to everyone being back on campus. It’s been a busy few months, and you’ll notice some exciting changes.

We’re working on renovations to the College Street entrance to the HUB and we’ve also made—and will continue making—significant updates to the dining hall. There is a new island that will feature rotating fare and updated kitchen equipment. Some new furniture for the dining hall has arrived and we will be getting additional furniture in the coming semester. Our new executive chef has big plans and we are continuing to collaborate with students on new menu items. Our dining spaces also have expanded hours and menus in response to student suggestions. And additional seating will be available in the HUB side rooms as well as Union Station.

Earlier this month, we launched the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy, which will equip students in any major with a strong foundation in business and finance. The institute and its affiliated classes will be grounded in the liberal arts, and in hands-on, practical experiences.  Stay tuned for more information on that initiative, including events, experiences and executives-in-residence.

In July, Celine Cunningham joined us as our new athletic director. You will see her on the sidelines and around campus. We’re also welcoming nine new tenure-track faculty and 17 visiting assistant professors, all experts in their field, who look forward to challenging our talented students.

The beginning of every academic year is a time of renewal and promise. But we cannot be blind to the fact that as we come back together, we do so in an era of pervasive social, political and geopolitical tensions. The presidential race is contentious. Wars continue to rage across the globe. Social justice issues are myriad.

As we begin this semester, I ask each one of you—whether you are faculty, staff or student—to commit yourselves to keeping our community united. Do not let the vitriol and divisiveness that has overtaken so much of our country be a part of our Dickinson experience. Considered dialogue and willingness to embrace diverse ways of thinking should be the hallmarks of all Dickinsonians. Be open to other points of view and even to changing your mind.

One of the powerful things about this place is that we bring together people of every conceivable background from all over the world. Dickinson students represent nearly 50 different nations around the globe. This diversity is our superpower. I encourage each of you to see one another, to value one another, and to seek out authentic ways to engage one another, always with respect.

Our educational experience involves pushing students out of their comfort zones and making them think about the world in new ways. Let that extend to your experiences outside the classroom, too. It is perfectly normal to be uncomfortable at times. But it is completely unacceptable to be intolerant or make others feel unsafe.

We have many exciting opportunities planned. I’m eager to watch our students’ intellectual curiosity unfold as we all experience new learning and exploration. Take time to enjoy yourself and have fun. And please take advantage of the series of events that are part of the Building Community and Belonging program. Register to vote. Volunteer and engage in the political process. Be active.

I am delighted to have you back—it’s been a little too quiet around here. I look forward to hearing about your summer and the experiences you’ve had. Let’s have a great year. See you around campus!

Sincerely,

John E. Jones III ’77, P’11
President 

Published November 1, 2023