Interim President Amy Marcus-Newhall officially welcomed Scripps students, staff, and faculty back to campus for a new academic year during the College’s virtual convocation on Monday, September 13.
Acting Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Faculty Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert introduced several new tenured members of Scripps faculty and applauded the contributions of fellow full- and part-time faculty during the challenges of remote learning. Associate Dean for Racial Equity and Professor of Chemistry Mary Hatcher-Skeers delivered the keynote address “Building a Trauma-Informed Community.”
In her address, Hatcher-Skeers emphasized the importance of acknowledging not only what we’ve collectively endured the last 18 months, but also its disproportionate impact on many members of our community. In light of this and the return to in-person learning, she offered guidance on how those at Scripps can best support one another.
“In order to learn from each other and grow as a community that can change the world, we need to make space to listen to each other’s stories without judgement or rebuttal,” she said, adding that transforming Scripps into a leader for greater diversity, equity, and justice would also require action.
“Each of us can contribute to building a magical Scripps community, and each of you have important contributions to make. I, and the other members of the new Racial Equity Leadership Team, are excited to work with you to make these ideas realities and together create a community that will lead in the fight for racial justice and equity,” she said.
Per Scripps’ tradition, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choirs Charles Kamm closed the event with a performance of Thy Many Gifts, Scripps’ 1932 alma mater.