Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends:

Those of you who have visited the multifaceted, mysterious, magical country of India understand its enduring spell. For those who have not, I hope to offer you a glimpse of this subtly seductive place, as it’s my desire to expand knowledge of India at Colorado College.

Eye of the Tiger: Defending the Division I status of hockey and soccer Tigers is a hefty task , but these aren't the first tigers Richard F. Celeste has helped protect. As a U.S. ambassador, Celeste received this work of inlaid wood and mother of pearl from P.K. Sen, director of Project Tiger, in recognition of his efforts to protect wild tigers in India.

I’ve started by bringing in notables for guest lectures. This fall, the college hosted:

• Sunita Kohli, who was honored as Padmashree for achieving excellence in interior design and restoration for her work on the former viceroy’s palace in Delhi;

• Sir Rob Young, former British high commissioner to India; and

• O.P. Jain, dubbed the “Czar of Culture” for India for his restoration and conservation work.

We also took the entire CC women’s soccer team to see the film “Bend It Like Beckham!” In a variety of ways, I am trying to infuse CC with the richness of Indian culture and the complexity of its politics. In 2005, my wife Jacqueline and I will escort parents, alumni, and college friends on an adventure through India, and I hope you will join us. The alumni relations office will post information about the trip on its Web site in January.

This issue of the Bulletin focuses on South Asia, which generally is considered to comprise India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. You’ll find remarkable stories about adventurous climbers, Tibetan monks, and an Indian-American student who studies traditional dance. You’ll also find profiles of several CC community members who’ve lived and traveled in South Asia, including one of my favorite India advocates, Jacqueline Lundquist.

Namasté.

Richard F. Celeste