September 15, 2023
Dear all,
It’s another late one! So much going on this past week, including this evening, apparently. I’ll keep it short in case it’s past your bedtime.
This week we saw the first performances in the new Arts Buildings, and what celebrations they were. First, last Saturday Leah Glenn’s production of Nine played to a packed house in the main theater in the renovated PBK. It was a tour de force, created by W&M artists Leah Glenn of the Department of Theatre & Dance with Hermine Pinson of the English Department and Africana Studies, and Steve Prince of the Muscarelle Museum, and danced by members of the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre and William & Mary students. Intense, beautiful, raw and moving. Here are some beautiful photos to capture the evening in all its glory:
The Music Building was inaugurated with the first concert in the Ewell Concert Series, an amazing, wild evening of jazz with the Jordan Ponzi Trio. Jordan teaches bass in the Music Department at W&M, and his group filled the recital hall with warmth and wit. Right now, a pipe organ is being installed in the main concert hall, so watch for more about that. And here is a photo of Jordan:
To view upcoming arts events, visit the Arts at W&M events page.
On a more pragmatic topic, I hope you all noticed that the state budget for which we have all been waiting includes a 2% salary increase for state employees in January 2024.
Next week, I will pitch a “big idea” for the next campaign – applied learning – to a group from Advancement. We are also starting to work on A&S specific campaign priorities, so watch this space. We’ll be coming to you for advice and feedback.
Also next week, watch out for the consolidated call for nominations for professorships and awards. Please consider nominating either yourself or a colleague.
And now, the thing you have all been waiting for: THE LINE.
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This might be how a person feels when they have to watch a gazillion people parade past them in the street. Or perhaps it’s someone at Confusion Corner. Or someone in a course taught by the Dean, formerly a teacher of English. You just can’t be sure any more.
Have a great weekend,
Suzanne
Suzanne Raitt
Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Chancellor Professor of English
Pronouns: she/her/hers
