FROM THE TRUSTEES

To the Westminster College Community

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express my deep appreciation for your unprecedented generosity and support in 2019-2020. Who knew we would face a worldwide pandemic and the coronavirus would affect all our lives so significantly?

As Board Chair of Westminster College, I am keenly aware of the toll COVID-19 continues to take on Westminster students and their families. Since the beginning of March, our goals have been to support and provide quality online resources for students and give them the ability to safely return to campus with all necessary precautions in place. Through the hard work and commitment of Westminster’s Leadership Team, faculty and staff, these things were made possible.

Alumni and friends of the College, you immediately responded and overwhelmingly supported Bring Back the Titans and Clash of the Titans, providing funds for many students to return. The mission of Westminster College reinforces our tradition of service and philanthropy with a commitment to neighbors and society. You, as alumni and friends of Westminster, prove this daily. Your gifts are making a difference for hundreds of students.

As a 1975 graduate of Westminster, I was so looking forward to our 45th class reunion and the chance to visit and catch up with friends and fellow classmates! My four-year experience at Westminster College in the ’70s becomes more meaningful and precious as time goes by. Celebrating virtually will not be the same; however, we all must demonstrate resilience and a positive attitude during these challenging times. While I am saddened that we won’t be reuniting face-to-face this fall, we can all look forward to next year’s “in person” gathering.

The year began with so much forward momentum on campus (Hoyt Science Center renovation and addition, the planning for three new athletic fields, the Titan Corridor) because of generous alumni support and philanthropy. Then March arrived, and the campus closed. Finally, after four months of shutdown, we were able to honor the Class of 2020 with a socially distanced, limited participation graduation ceremony on campus. A highlight of this celebration was Senior Speaker Samantha Winter ’20, a biochemistry major who just began her first year of medical school. Her poignant message passionately supported a liberal arts education where she learned to embrace challenges, adapt, think critically and find the light, even in times of darkness. Alumni and friends of the College, you have been that light in the darkness.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Robin Willoughby Gooch ’75 Chair, Westminster College Board of Trustees