Letter From the Board Chair

In many ways, this past year marked a new beginning for Olin. The Inauguration of President Gilda A. Barabino took place in May, with more than 400 attendees enjoying a glorious day at Olin’s Needham, Massachusetts, campus to celebrate this milestone event. Just a few days later, the board of trustees approved a new strategic plan for the College—its first in more than 10 years.

The strategic plan and the mission are exciting, inspiring and bold. They build on Olin’s mission to transform engineering education and its globally recognized position as a laboratory for engineering education and impact, and add a critical focus on equity.

Olin has spent the past year laying the foundation to make it possible to meet the future vision embedded in the strategic plan.

Some notable highlights include:

→ Organizational change brought a new focus on long-range planning for the financial health of the institution (pg 15).

→ The launch of the Presidential Strategic Initiatives Fund resulted in $1 million seed funding for specific initiatives aligned with the strategic directions emerging from the plan (pg 18).

→ The Olin Fund, which is largely supported by alumni, parents, trustees and friends of the College, brought in more than $1 million (pg 19).

→ And new revenue-generating programs are being tested by the

Office of External Programs and Partnerships (pg 16).

For the past 11 years, I have had the privilege of being part of the Olin College community, first as a parent and volunteer, then as a member of the board, and now as board chair.

While I don’t know what the future holds, I do know that Olin College is well positioned with a vision and a mission designed to meet the moment.

On behalf of a very appreciative board of trustees, I want to thank the entire Olin community for their efforts in making the College and the world a better place.

Beverly Wyse P’15

Chair, Olin Board of Trustees