June 21, 2024

Dear CC Community,

The CC Board of Trustees met for our annual retreat in Colorado Springs on June 12-14. This gathering was an opportunity for the Board, the Interim President, and Cabinet to engage in high-level strategic planning for the year ahead and discuss how we can best support the student experience at CC.

First, we had the chance to hear from Interim President-Elect Manya Whitaker — who will become Interim President and begin a two-year term on July 1 — about her vision focused on institutional strength and reclaiming the liberal arts.

We discussed fundraising, engagement, and admission strategies with our new Cabinet members Molly Bodnar, who has been promoted to Vice President for Advancement after serving as interim for nine months, and Tony Cabasco, our new Vice President for Enrollment.

We also saw a presentation from Truth & Consequences, the agency hired to help us craft a new brand story for CC, and got a sneak peek into the creative direction and key messages we’ll see come to life over the next few years.

We had a robust discussion about the potential for a new science building, a capital project that will transform the academic experience for students in STEM and meet rising demand for space and resources. During this conversation, we explored possible timelines and fundraising scenarios. We look forward to sharing more as our next steps are solidified.

Members of CC’s 150th Steering Committee shared plans for an exciting Sesquicentennial Extravaganza at Homecoming this fall, and we thanked Susan Ashley and the Project 2024 Steering Committee for their work over a celebratory lunch.

Of course, we took some time to celebrate and honor outgoing President L. Song Richardson and Vice President for Enrollment Mark Hatch, for their extraordinary service to and leadership of CC. It is hard to say goodbye to these two visionaries, who are leaving the college a better place. They will have a connection to our community for life.

We also thanked outgoing trustees Bob Ross, Tafari Lumumba, Thayer Tutt Jr., and Student Trustee Chris Heckenkamp, and confirmed our 2024-25 Student Trustee, Adrian Price. We look forward to sharing more about Adrian this fall and welcoming him to his first Board meeting in November.

It is a milestone year for Interim President-Elect Whitaker, as she is among the five faculty members who will be promoted to full professor as of July 1. Congratulations to these outstanding educators on earning full professorship: Murphy G. Brasuel, Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry; Heidi R. Lewis, Associate Professor of Feminist and Gender Studies; Shane Heschel, Associate Professor of Organismal Biology and Ecology; Ibrahima Wade, Associate Professor of French; and Manya C. Whitaker, Associate Professor of Education. Our students benefit so much from your guidance and expertise.

Prior to the start of the retreat, Board Chair Jeff Keller and Investment Committee Chair John Troubh met with both a small group of students and a small group of faculty to discuss a request to divest from certain companies viewed to be contributing to and profiting from the war in Gaza. The Board agreed to continue to engage in conversations with students and faculty as it has done with other requests from student and faculty groups on similar topics. At this time, no action has been taken regarding any investment decisions.

Finally, thank you to all the staff, faculty, volunteers, families, and friends who made Commencement 2024 a success. This class of graduates faced unusual adversity during their time at CC and made significant impact. They paved the way for expanded mental health resources and a more sustainable campus. As leaders of clubs and student organizations, student-athletes, college employees, researchers, mentors, volunteers, artists, performers, and more, they left legacies that will last for years to come. I look forward to seeing all the ways these new CC alumni will make an impact in the world.

Sincerely,

Jeff Keller ’91, P’23
CC Board of Trustees Chair