College Community,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Harvey Mudd College Board of Trustees held its May meeting on May 15-16. I am writing to share updates on several important topics as well as some key decisions from our time together, beginning with one of our most rewarding duties as trustees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday morning, the Board officially approved the 220 candidates for graduation from Harvey Mudd\u2019s Class of 2026. Also upon recommendation of the faculty, the board voted to approve the degree of doctor of science, honoris causa, for our Commencement speaker, space scientist and higher education leader Laurie Leshin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During our sessions, the Board engaged deeply with the critical issues affecting our campus climate and the experiences of our community members given recent reports of anti-Black racism at the College and on some of our sister campuses in Claremont. We agree with BLAM, the faculty and the administration that these problems are deeply concerning, and the board is fully committed to supporting the actions outlined in President Nembhard\u2019s recent message<\/a> to the College community to foster a climate of genuine belonging and respect for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HMC President Harriet B. Nembhard updated the board on plans for the College\u2019s comprehensive campaign, joined by Vice President for Advancement Jennifer Eccles and Peter Hayashida, chair of the board of directors, senior consultant and principal for Marts&Lundy<\/a>, the College\u2019s campaign consultants. During the presentation, the board reviewed the five pillars for the College\u2019s campaign<\/a>\u2014Living and Learning Infrastructure, Academic Leadership, Access and Opportunity, Innovation Accelerator, and Experiential Learning\u2014and discussed preparations for the initial leadership phase of the effort. During the first three years of this 7-year initiative, our focus will be on soliciting lead gifts towards these priorities with a goal of raising half of the anticipated $250 million total ahead of the public launch. Alumni and friends can learn more about the campaign and our five fundraising pillars on our campaign website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Saturday morning, outgoing ASHMC Senate Chair Simone Yang \u201926 introduced incoming ASHMC President Henry Allen \u201928 and Senate Chair Ria Haapala \u201927, who will represent the student body in board meetings next year. We look forward to working with Henry and Ria and are grateful to Simone and outgoing ASHMC President Aditi Bonthu \u201926 for their outstanding service to the board on behalf of our students this past year. We wish Aditi and Simone the best in their post-graduation plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also on Saturday morning, the board discussed the College\u2019s goals in interdisciplinary science and engineering (ISE), including early plans for a new academic building<\/a> as well as submissions received through the recent call for proposals for the Innovation Accelerator Lab for ISE<\/a>. With a framework provided by President Nembhard, Associate Dean of the Faculty Kathy Van Heuvelen gave trustees an overview of the seven exciting proposed projects. Thirty-eight of the College\u2019s faculty across each of our seven academic departments submitted ideas. Each of these seven proposals represents a wonderful and interesting potential area of interdisciplinary collaboration. Senior Vice President, COO and CFO Andrew Dorantes gave an update on early planning for a new academic building to serve as our Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering<\/a> on campus\u2014a key priority in our upcoming campaign. The College has begun stakeholder group meetings across academic departments, offices and College leadership. Additional stakeholder meetings are expected this summer and fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During a very special dinner Friday evening, the trustees honored Vice Chair of the Board Laura Larson P\u201920, who has served with distinction on the board for many years. Laura was presented with the Sprague Outstanding Volunteer Service Award<\/a>, which recognizes someone who exemplifies the highest ideals of service to the College. The award was created in 1995 and named in honor of Dr. Norman F. Sprague Jr., who joined the board in 1955 and who donated funds to build the Sprague Library on campus as well as to endow a professorship in the life sciences. Laura is the fifth person to receive this award since its creation and the first female recipient. We are incredibly grateful to her for her leadership and service to Harvey Mudd College, and we wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrustee Actions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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