ON THE HILL

DOUG THOMPSON NAMED INAUGURAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION

2020 AND 2021 RETIREMENTS

In the newly created role on the President’s Cabinet, Thompson will lead diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice strategy and alignment across the College; chair the President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and manage a team of professional staff charged with building a welcoming and supportive campus for all Gustavus students, faculty, and staff. He will also work to grow the College’s reach and impact, building and strengthening local, regional, and national partnerships.

Since 2017, Thompson has served as the Associate Dean of Students at the University of St. Thomas’s Dougherty Family College, a two-year program that focuses on preparing first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students to navigate and overcome barriers on their path to a bachelor’s degree. Previously, he served as the Assistant Dean for Equity and Inclusion at the University of West Florida and provided academic advising and student support services at Cardinal Stritch University. Thompson grew up in New Orleans and holds degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University, Seton Hall University, and Cardinal Stritch University, where he earned a doctorate in leadership for the advancement of learning and service.

“Dr. Thompson has significant experience in a variety of higher education settings that will inform his holistic work advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at Gustavus,” President Rebecca Bergman says. “I look forward to his thoughtful and capable leadership in this vital position.”

“What was evident during my interview process is that this community is highly engaged and collaborative,” Thompson says. “I look forward to working with all stakeholders to build trust and advance the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Congratulations and thank you to all.

Deb Andros, dining service Patty Brandt, custodial service Gail Brandt-Otero, custodial service Diane Christiansen, acquisitions, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library Duane Clementson, physical plant Laurent Dechery, modern languages, literatures, and cultures Vicki Domras, print and mail services Linda Gibbs, custodial service Mary Gunderson, registrar’s office Donna Hewitt, admission Shirley Mellema, Linnaeus Arboretum Joe Pope, campus safety Ronald Rietz, mathematics, computer science, and statistics Martha Rivas, custodial service Diane Stocker, advancement Todd Stolt, campus safety Rita Tlougan, dining service Gail Thorson, custodial service JoAnn Vaughn, custodial service Kristi Westphal, registrar’s office Diane Wilson, custodial service Janine Wotton, psychological science Sheryl Youngblom, advancement

“I’m most proud of my students and their success after graduation. I learned from them just as much as they learned from me.”

—professor emeritus Bruce VanDuser, health and exercise science “Watching students come in, helping them to see their DREAMS COME TRUE to get a college education, and then graduate four years later—it’s

been extremely gratifying.” —Doug Minter ’79, retired dean of financial aid

I’VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HELP CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. THANK YOU,

AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU.” —professor emeritus Mike Hvidsten, mathematics, computer science, statistics

CAMPUS SOCIAL

FACEBOOK

“Part of being human means happiness and sorrow. But our resilience allows us to live through it.” —Joy Dunna ’20, Commencement speaker for the Class of 2020, which lost much of its senior year on the hill due to the pandemic. Follow @gustavus @gustiealum

TWITTER

@KathyLundDean1 Many years ago I met a friend for coffee, complaining about having to navigate all the construction at his campus. He said, “You’re looking at that all wrong. The signs of a thriving institution are cranes and big piles of dirt.” @gustavus #whygustavus There you go.

@gustavus Spotted in the Arboretum. #whygustavus

Follow /gustavusadolphuscollege

Follow @gustavusadolphuscollege @gustieathletics @gustavusfinearts @gustavusalumni INSTAGRAM

@big_hill_farm A foggy morning harvest featuring the end of our snap peas, a MASSIVE cucumber haul, some beautiful sun gold tomatoes, and two surprise carrots!

10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection

“May this tree, now in its new home/ Have the water and nutrients/ The sunlight and soil/ The love and care/ It needs to expand up and out./ To live long and deep as it bears witness to the campus and its stories/ at this important intersection.”

—Rev. Dr. Siri C. Erickson, Chaplain, at the May dedication of the new bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in front of Jackson Campus Center.

ROARing* through COVID

by Luke Yang

As a photographer and Campus Activities Board (CAB) member during COVID-19, I wanted to immortalize this strange, trying time. I love to capture campus life, and the 2020–2021 academic year looked the same—at a glance. Upon closer inspection it was very di erent. Signs encouraging masking, plexiglass barriers, and social distancing markers dotted campus. COVID-19 safety reminders were pinned on bulletin boards next to phone numbers for Campus Safety. Students attended class through laptops all over campus; classroom capacities were bare minimum. Caf tables sat only two at a time. And masks were worn everywhere except in a person’s own room.

To fi rst-years, this might be all they’ve known of Gustavus. We seasoned “COVID CABbies” tried valiantly to be as normal as we could.

CAB members, who are also members of a larger politically charged and driven community, pulled through to put on COVID-friendly events. We had socially distanced outdoor movies, a campus Pride Parade, political protests, Relay For Life, and Midnight Express. We responded to COVID-19 with innovation, such as a new Virtual and Everyday Events Co-Executive position to facilitate quick-grab giveaways that were safe, entertaining, and accessible.

COVID-19 brought changes, but it also brought growth through adversity. Gusties will roar, forever and always.

*ROAR: Respect Others, Act Responsibly; the campus rally cry during 2020

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1. Ellie Anderson ’21, member of the Gusties ROAR

team, reminding folks to stay six feet apart. | 2.

Students masked and in class at Beck Hall, in a

classroom with reduced capacity. | 3. The Campus

Activities Board hosts Hypnotist Chris Jones for first years, socially distanced. | 4. Welcome to

the Information Desk, complete with plexiglass,

disenfectant, paper towels, and Katie Doolittle ’23. | 5. Bella Nduwayezu ’23 and Leah Nelson ’23 crown Abbie Doran ’23 as St. Lucia. | 6. The Fire Pit

Grill, across from Uhler, provided outdoor meals and snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. | 7. Honors Day. | 8. Socially distanced selfies at Drag Queen Bingo.

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9. Black Lives Matter at the Gustavus Pride

Parade in the fall. | 10. Nurse and clinical

coordinator Jessica Helget ’11 administers

the COVID-19 vaccine to a student in Don

Roberts Arena. | 11. Chemistry professor Ian Hill beaming in live from Nobel Hall during the virtual Nobel Conference. | 12. Kevin Panora ’22 takes in the exhibit An Active and Urgent Telling in the Schaefer Art Gallery.

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13. The Campus Activities Board hosts a new

tradition during COVID-19: Cornhole Tournament. | 14. Nana Abena Boateng ’22 performs at a soldout Diversity Ball, held outdoors in the Arb. | 15.

Movies in the Arb. That’s the ’80s classic Goonies.

16. Youth non-profit PackASmyle, headed by

Gustie alum Muresuk Mena ’13, hosts a

backpack supply drive for youth.