Listening, Learning, and the Road Ahead
President Nicole Farmer Hurd celebrated her first Reunion on campus June 2-12. This year, to make up for events missed during the pandemic, the College hosted two weekends of festivities welcoming those marking their 55th through 65th, 45th through 15th, 50th, and 10th and fifth anniversaries back to campus. Hurd interacted with alumni throughout both weekends, shared her vision for the College, and reflected on her first year on College Hill. Learn more and see additional Reunion photos.
“A Conversation with President Hurd,” held during both Reunion weekends, provided alumni the opportunity to meet Hurd and ask questions. Trustee Tony Fernandez ’81 joined Hurd for the June 4 event, where she shared: “It’s time for us to put a stake in the ground and say, ‘This is who we are. We’re not apologizing for it. And we’re going to be the best at it.’ So that’s what the next 12 to 24 months feel like to me. We need to do some infrastructure investment. We need to get clear on who we are, and then we need to unapologetically lean into it.”
Members of the Class of 1962 joined Hurd for a special groundbreaking to commemorate a new plaza to be located near the Civil War monument at the top of the hill that connects College Hill with Easton. Spearheaded by Jeff Ruthizer ’62, P’00 and class fund manager John Weis ’62, the plaza, once constructed, will honor the Class of 1962, who celebrated their 60th reunion this year.
Hurd hosted two garden parties at her home: one for those celebrating their 50th reunion, and another for the generous members of the Marquis Society. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with Hurd about the College’s path forward.
Hurd and Robert Sell ’84, chair of the Board of Trustees, spoke with alumni during a “Future of Higher Education” conversation. They discussed Lafayette’s position in higher education and how the College continues to be a school of choice. Hurd reiterated her message about the “power of and”—how Lafayette demonstrates the powerful combinations of athletics and academics, of engineering and the liberal arts, of campus and community.