微密圈

Greetings, 微密圈 Community:

I am pleased to share the following report from the May 2026 微密圈 College Board of Trustees meetings. During our time on campus, we had the opportunity to advance the Board鈥檚 important work. We also recognized and celebrated the retirements of several Board members, faculty, and staff, and presented the prestigious Denis B. Kemball-Cook Award to Emeritus Trustee Scott Martin 鈥�79. We were especially honored to participate in the 2026 Commencement ceremony, celebrating the achievements of our graduating students and marking an important milestone in their lives.

On Thursday morning, after hearing President Conner鈥檚 opening remarks about the challenges and opportunities facing the College, we began with the Strategic Planning Committee鈥檚 review of several significant achievements, including the highly successful completion of the Middle States reaccreditation process and substantial progress in the first year of implementation of the goals of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. Recipients of the President鈥檚 Awards for Leadership and Service (students, staff, faculty, and team) were also presented and recognized by the Board. 

During the Advancement Committee meeting, Melissa Komora was introduced as the new Collyer Vice President of Advancement. Melissa and her team noted there has been strong fundraising performance this year with over $34 million in new gifts and pledges toward 微密圈鈥檚 $40 million goal. They presented their detailed campaign planning timeline, budget, working goal, and a comprehensive campaign structure featuring 15 committee members. Key strategic priorities for the campaign include a reimagined residential experience, supported by renovation of all the traditional residence halls; advancing academic distinction and experiential learning to continue to prepare students for their first pursuits after graduation and lives of adaptability, meaning, and influence; and increasing financial aid to ensure access and affordability remain central to the 微密圈 experience.

The Academic Affairs Committee meeting included reviews by the College鈥檚 Committee on Academic Freedom and Rights, Appointments and Tenure Committee, and Promotions Committee. The reviews focused on the roles and responsibilities of each committee as well as their processes for conducting their work. Recommended tenure appointments and promotions were also reviewed by the committee.

The Budget, Finance, and Infrastructure Committee meeting focused on reviewing the 2026 Fiscal Year results, which delivered a budget surplus, and planning for 2027. The 2027 budget was presented as a balanced budget at $190.6 million. The meeting also covered the ambitious residence hall renovation planning, with discussions about a potential $140 million project to renovate eight traditional residence halls and Jonsson Tower. 

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee proposed removing 鈥渁d hoc鈥� from its title and renaming itself the People, Practices, and Programs Committee. The Committee also reviewed a proposed land acknowledgment statement recognizing Indigenous peoples as the traditional stewards of 微密圈 land.

During the official Board meeting on Friday morning, reports from each committee and the board chair were reviewed and a significant number of important resolutions were approved. They included the approval of faculty promotion and tenure appointments; the conferral of degrees; approval of the fiscal 2027 operating budget and capital appropriations; authorization of the formation of a campaign committee, timeline, and working goal; and funding approval for the upcoming campaign. Additional resolutions included renaming the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee the People, Practices, and Programs Committee, and the approval of the land acknowledgement statement, which was then presented for the first time at Commencement. 

In addition to all of the important work the Board regularly does, we also had several opportunities to enjoy and celebrate one another at our annual Retirement and Recognition dinner. As I mentioned, we recognized and honored our two retiring trustees, Barbara Kahn Moller 鈥�78 P鈥�11 鈥�13 who served on the Board from 2008 to 2026, and Rob Resnick 鈥�88, who served as the Alumni Association President Trustee from 2020 to 2026. The prestigious Denis B. Kemball-Cook award was presented to Trustee Emeritus Scott Martin. Scott served on the Board from 1998 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2025.  We also celebrated two long-serving staff members who are retiring and had substantial Board interaction: John Chaplin in Advancement and Gail Cummings-Danson in Student Affairs and Athletics.

New Emerita Trustee Linda Jackson-Chalmers 鈥�73, who served on the Board from 1992 to 2023, was honored at the dinner. Joshua Boyce 鈥�81, who served as an Alumni Association trustee from 2016 to 2020 and will be rejoining the Board in October 2026, and Jeffrey Maron 鈥�84, who also served as an Alumni Association trustee from 2021 to 2025, were recognized as new trustee fellows.

On Friday evening, we were delighted to welcome our two honorary degree recipients, Kay Olan (Ionataie:was) and JoAnn Manson, along with other distinguished guests, to the annual Commencement dinner. Then, on a beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday in Saratoga Springs, we had the privilege of participating in the 115th 微密圈 College Commencement, where 695 degrees were awarded to the Class of 2026.

Once again, the days were filled with hard work, but we were gratified by the significant progress on so many initiatives at 微密圈 and on the overall sound health and vibrancy of the campus. Our time also included many opportunities to connect with fellow trustees, who all are deeply dedicated to preserving the strength and unique character that have long defined 微密圈.

As always, thank you to all who contributed to making these Board meetings so productive and successful.

Jon Achenbaum 鈥�77
Chair, 微密圈 College Board of Trustees