Academic Year 2018-19

During the Board meeting, the trustees engaged in a two-hour discussion about the University’s Strategic Plan, carefully reviewing and discussing the draft plan that the faculty endorsed on April 16. Following those conversations, the trustees voted unanimously to approve the plan without modifications.

Dear Bucknellians,
It’s only five weeks since I wrote to you expressing grief and sorrow at the mass killings of worshippers at a mosque in New Zealand, a tragedy that itself followed just a few short months after the synagogue murders in Pittsburgh. Yet I am once again compelled to write in the wake of today’s senseless, hate-fueled murder of more than 200 people in Sri Lanka — people who were apparently targeted because of their Christian faith.

Good morning. It’s a pleasure to join you to officially welcome Rev. Nelson to the University.  I am honored to deliver the "charge" today as he becomes one of the shepherds who — over the years — have dedicated themselves to the spiritual needs of our community.

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,
Thank you to those who have provided feedback on the strategic plan, including by joining us at one of our daily office hours, submitting feedback electronically and participating in individual or group meetings with members of the Executive Committee.

Dear Bucknellians,
Tragically, we have become all too familiar with acts of hate-fueled violence and terrorism, whether they occur at home or abroad. While the horrific shootings at two mosques in New Zealand that killed nearly 50 people are particularly appalling, the sad reality is that there are daily reminders that evil in the world persists.

Dear Colleagues,
I am writing with a summary of our winter Board of Trustees meeting, which took place last week in Washington, D.C. As is customary, the Board had substantive discussions during its executive sessions and conducted much of its business through its designated committees.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Bucknell University has received several inquiries regarding a speaker scheduled to be on campus tomorrow. As with the majority of speakers who come to campus, an individual faculty member arranged for this event, the cost of which is being borne by a number of academic departments and units. I want to take this opportunity to directly address the event.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Our strategic planning efforts have continued since the end of the fall semester. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee began studying and synthesizing the Working Group Reports immediately upon their submission in early December. Throughout the winter break and the first several weeks of this semester, the Steering Committee — and its subsidiary Executive Committee — have been writing, discussing and revising the first draft of the strategic plan.

President Bravman comments on proposed Title IX changes are included in a letter to Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education.

Dear Bucknellians,
Thank you for gathering here this evening in support of our students — and our Jewish community broadly — so deeply affected by this weekend’s unspeakable tragedy in Pittsburgh. I’m traveling on behalf of the University, and regret that I cannot be with you, but I wanted to offer a few words nonetheless.

Dear Bucknellians,
Sadly, it feels as if I could write to you regularly about yet another act of senseless hate and violence in our country and around the world. Today's shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue only a couple of hours away from our campus here in Lewisburg hits particularly close to home and has left many with heavy hearts, and more.

Dear Colleagues,
I am writing with a summary of our fall 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 10, through Friday, Oct. 12. As is customary, the board had substantive discussions during its executive sessions and conducted much of its business through its designated committees.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I'm writing to address both the very valid concerns and the misinformation that is currently being expressed around Summit House. Commonly referred to as "Fran's House," this is an affinity home that has served our LGBTQ community for the past several years. Before that, this affinity group was located in Galloway House. (As background, affinity groups apply for housing each year without the guarantee of a particular house.

Dear Bucknellians,
In late July, I wrote to you about reports of a forthcoming news article containing allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of Bucknell alumnus Les Moonves. Following those initial reports, and considering Mr. Moonves' own statement on the matter, we removed from our website content that celebrated his relationship with Bucknell and removed his name from a prominent room on campus.

Dear Faculty & Staff Colleagues,
As I reflect on the start of a new academic year together, I find myself pondering the philosophical question of why we, as a University, are here. There are myriad answers to that question, of course, but asking it brings me back to something I said to our newest students during my Convocation address, which you can find here.

Good evening members of our distinguished faculty and staff. And welcome, Bucknell University Class of 2022 and transfer students! You are about to open a new chapter in your lives that I hope you will always look back upon with fondness. Your future selves will marvel at what you learned and accomplished in just four years.