From the Vice President: A New Era

If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living. —Gail Sheehy

This month, I begin my 40th year as a college administrator. I have witnessed dramatic changes in higher education over this time. Some might yearn for the “good old days,” before the popular rankings, tell-all websites, and instant global communication, when a “tweet” came from a bird and no one ever heard of a “google.” But change presents challenges, and challenges motivate us to become better, and that motivation can create a sense of fulfillment and happiness in our personal and professional lives.

In the lifecycle of a college, a new president represents a significant change. Alison Byerly has introduced herself to the Lafayette community over the past six months, and it is clear that she brings fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the important work we do. From her frequent tweets to her willingness to engage all members of the Lafayette community in meaningful dialogue to her national leadership role in the conversation about online learning in residential colleges, our new president will no doubt challenge us all to be energetic, forward-thinking, and nimble as we work to advance the College in every way.

There is another change you will see in several months. The fall issue of Lafayette Magazine will debut a new format that fittingly will feature the inauguration of President Byerly. The new design will be more contemporary and less traditional with an integration of photographs and text for easy reading. It will continue to be packed with interesting stories about campus happenings and about alumni near and far. Each issue will contain an alumni section that includes a message from the president of the Alumni Association in addition to profiles, news and career updates, and class notes. One thing won’t change, though—our commitment to quality and to bringing you what you want and need to know about your College today.

Be the change! And have fun doing it!

Robert J. Massa P ’08
Vice President for Communications