Date: October 6, 2021
Yesterday, I spoke to Chris Pote, our Archivist. Given the desire of the Board to be more involved in the oversight of the Bicentennial Celebration, I had let the existing committee know that an ad hoc committee of the Board will oversee celebration plans going on. Chris had served as Chair; he reassured me that he stood willing to be helpful in any way possible. I expressed my gratitude for his hard work and the hard work of the committee.
Later in the day, I had another meeting with Diane Wright, who was a departmental representative on the Bicentennial Committee. Given the emergence of the Board committee, she wanted to know how members of the staff will be involved. This is a good and important question. As we think about marking this anniversary, we want lots of ideas and voices at the table. I assured her that ways will be found to make sure there is a flow of ideas and suggestions.
Back in the old days (by which I mean 2019, before COVID), we did have a quarterly staff meeting dedicated to the collection of ideas for our celebration. This meeting provided many good ideas. We will create mechanisms for continuing conversations; but first, please consider this Commentary as your invitation to share your ideas and suggestions. How best should we mark October 15, 2023 – the day when we will be 200 years old?
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President