President's Message - Compassion and curriculum - Summer 2009

Brian C. Mitchell
Bucknell Magazine
Summer 2009

At Commencement this past May, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel said, "There must be on this planet at least one person who needs you. One person you can help. Don't turn away. Help."

Mr. Wiesel's message of empathy and example provides a valuable context for work that Bucknell students are doing across the country and, in fact, the world. Our students regularly impact communities from Bucknell to New Orleans, Lewisburg to South Africa. These students carry out this work as part of coursework and research, service-learning projects and study abroad programs, student organizations and volunteer groups.

The recent 10th anniversary trip of the Bucknell Brigade and its inspiring work in Nicaragua is an example of how transformational such work can be for the individuals who participate and the communities they touch. The students who pursue this work come from all walks of life, whether as first-year students beginning college, community college transfer students or Posse Scholars. Emily Haley '09, a member of our first Posse graduating class, is a good example: she revived Community Harvest, which provides 250 meals a week, in the Bucknell neighboring town of Milton.

As these programs make vividly clear, Bucknell builds bridges with and has some bearing on the world. We are proud in this edition of the magazine to celebrate the individuals who participate in such programs.

We also celebrate the work of our faculty who, after extensive analysis and planning, recently put into motion a new curriculum for the College of Arts and Sciences. This curriculum provides renewed focus on the University's commitment to an education grounded in the liberal arts and focused on educating the whole individual.

As Mr. Wiesel said, and as Bucknell has proven it believes, "Knowledge must be transformed into commitment and sensitivity."

* * *

By now, you have heard the news that I have decided to step down as president of Bucknell effective June 30, 2010. Since this is the first subsequent issue of this magazine, it didn't seem right not to mention this news and to take the opportunity to thank everyone, on behalf of Maryjane and me, for all the wonderful experiences of these past five years and to ask for your special commitment to Bucknell at this time.

This is no time for an inactive transition year. Bucknell needs its alumni, parents and many other friends fully engaged. We look forward to working with the community of Bucknellians near and far to keep progress going and to continue strengthening this institution that is so vitally important to so many.