Dear Campus Community,

Happy 2017 and welcome back! To our winter start, fall away, and transfer students, welcome to Colorado College! I hope everyone had a fun and restorative Winter Break. Mine was filled with family and good books, and I am ready for the Spring Semester.

You will notice some changes on campus. Sadly, a terrible windstorm (winds measured at over 80 mph) destroyed about 20 mature trees on campus. On a more positive note, progress continued on campus building projects. In Tutt Library, which will be the largest net-zero academic library in the country, plumbing, water, natural gas, and electrical connections are in, drywall installation on the first two levels is nearly complete, and the rails for the compact shelving have been installed. The progress on East Campus housing is evident, and construction is on schedule for fall occupancy.

We kick off the semester with speakers and performances you shouldn't miss!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day fell during Half Block this year. While we celebrated with the Colorado Springs community last Monday at the annual All People's Breakfast, we are celebrating again today. Our Block 5 First Mondays presenter Professor Russell Rickford, historian from Cornell University, speaks on the continued relevance of Dr. King's legacy in light of the democratic reinvigoration of the Black Lives Matter movement. Tonight, we host the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, one of America's foremost modern dance companies. In addition to their performance of a dynamic body of work inspired by the African-American experience, we will hear from the Gospel Music Workshop of America. I hope to see you there!

The City Center Speaker Series (a partnership with the Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership) begins tomorrow night in Celeste Theatre with Gil Penalosa discussing urban design and the strength of cities that are equally navigable for 8-year olds and 80-year olds. On Wednesday, attorney Cate Stetson, who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, will speak on the likely impact of the Trump administration on the U.S. judiciary.

The following week is equally exciting, as CC presents the annual Cornerstone Arts Week, featuring exhibits, artists, and musicians. The highlight of the week will be a keynote presentation by filmmaker, author, and multimedia artist Miranda July (Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7 pm in Celeste Theatre).

I look forward to engaging with you in the semester ahead. Please stop by my blockly office hours to share your ideas or just say hello!

Best regards,

Jill