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‘Tis the season

‘Tis the season of Christmas parties and open houses! Recently, Lisa and I opened the President’s home at Davis & Elkins for a time of celebration, initially with our faculty and staff and then for friends of the College from the community. Amongst the festive decorations and tables of holiday treats, about 200 guests during the course of the event talked and laughed with old friends or new ones, caught up on life’s happenings and celebrated together in the holiday spirit.

As I reflect on this festive event, I realize that this four-hour party was really a microcosm of the significance of Davis & Elkins College, particularly to this community that serves as the College’s home. There are representative individuals in my mind’s eye who shared a glass of punch along with stimulating conversation, and when considered collectively, serve as the foundation of this unique College community.

Among these individuals were a professor who has given the majority of his teaching career to transforming lives of students at Davis & Elkins. A member of our grounds crew who tends to the needs of the land of the College mingled among the guests. An Elkins resident who graduated from D&E almost 60 years ago and is now retired from a lifetime of service as an engineer stood by the piano as carols were played. Leaders from the local medical center were present to discuss continuing opportunities with the College and deepen friendships.

A state political leader was present to simply express his support and thanks for all D&E means to the community. Demonstrating commitment to students, a staff member dropped by to spend a few minutes with colleagues, but apologized for leaving soon thereafter to tend to a unique need of a particular student. A local business owner expressed his appreciation for the involvement of the College community in the downtown, and pledged his continuing financial support of the College’s Highlands Scholarships for West Virginia students. A professor in her first year at the College described the rich experience of her initial semester in the classroom with D&E students. A local pastor chatted with the College’s chaplain during this Advent season. A talented senior volunteered her time to play the piano for the enjoyment of the guests.

At its core, Davis & Elkins College is people. First and foremost, it is students. To support those students, the College consists of faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, business partners, church partners and friends from the community. Together, we make up the mosaic of faces that is Davis & Elkins College. Symbolically, standing around tables of food at an open house, the College gathered. We gathered to celebrate the Christmas season, the mission of the College and the bright future of D&E and the Elkins community. All in all, it was quite an evening!

On a personal note, as Lisa, our girls and I celebrate our second Christmas at D&E, we want to express our thanks for the outpouring of support we have received.

It is an honor and a privilege to lead Davis & Elkins, and to call Elkins home. Our family’s journey has brought us back to these mountains, and we are grateful.

The journey continues….

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