Dear friends,

In my time as President of Guilford College, now just shy of a year, I have come to deeply value our entire community and the strength we have demonstrated during some challenging times. Also, I greatly appreciate how our community has celebrated various recent achievements.
 
Several people have asked me when Guilford will hold a presidential inauguration, which colleges and universities traditionally have for new leaders. From nearly twenty-five years in higher education, my observation is that these events can be terribly elaborate and consume a lot of time and resources that could be applied to greater purposes.
 
After some reflection, I have asked the Board of Trustees to not hold a formal presidential inauguration, but instead to allow us to plan a Celebration of Community. This celebration will provide an opportunity for us to thank many of the people who have been supportive of Guilford over the years, recognize our many community partners and celebrate the service efforts of many of our students who have been engaged with many of our local partners in providing support for our fellow residents.
 
Our Celebration of Community will be Saturday, March 18, 2023, with the Celebration program and the following additional activities:

• A very brief moment of installation, with the Board of Trustees officially delegating my duties to me as President of the College.
• A tree-planting ceremony in memory of Guilford community members we lost over the past year.
• A fair spotlighting students and our community partners who have advanced social justice, civic engagement and community service.  
• A reception to celebrate people who took a stand for Guilford through Save Guilford College, the Guilford Forward Fund and other initiatives, as well as faculty and staff who play such an important role day to day.

 Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to participate. More details will be available soon.

Sincerely,
Kyle Farmbry
President