Academic Year 2023-24

Good morning on this wonderful and long-awaited day! I’m John Bravman, president of Bucknell University, and it is my pleasure to welcome the families and friends of the Class of 2024 to celebrate our graduates today. I offer a most special welcome to all of the mothers who join us today. Today is a beautiful reminder of the importance of your influence on your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and special friends.

Good afternoon to the dedicated faculty, all the proud parents and guardians, and most importantly, the stars of today — the graduating Class of 2024 at Bucknell University! Standing here today fills me with both pride and a deep sense of awe. It's not every day one gets to address a group so full of perseverance and strength, poised to shape the future.

Welcome and thank you to all of the family, friends, faculty and staff here today. There is something so meaningful about gathering on this quad, to both end and begin another chapter of our lives in this place that holds so many memories from the past four years.

We write to share a summary of Bucknell's annual spring Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus from Wednesday, April 24, through Friday, April 26. President John Bravman, who is on sabbatical this semester, attended the meeting in his role as a trustee. We wish to thank all faculty and staff members who planned or participated in the spring meeting and contributed to its success. 

Our community has experienced two consecutive waves of fear and loss in a short period of time. I wish to express my appreciation for our students, who have moved through the past 48 hours with kindness and fortitude. I also commend our tireless faculty and staff, who continue to respond and provide support even as they process what's happened. Our first responders, in particular, have endured a wrenching few days with professionalism and grace. You all have my admiration and deep gratitude. 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the death of a Bucknell student on campus today. Together we mourn the passing of Christian Samay ’24. This is an unspeakable loss for the Bucknell community, and our hearts go out Christian’s family and friends.

As co-acting presidents during President John Bravman's sabbatical, we are pleased to share a summary of the winter 2024 meeting of the Board of Trustees, which took place Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in New York City. We thank the following faculty members for their participation: Professor Coralynn Davis, faculty chair; Professor Alan Cheville, faculty secretary; Professor Angèle Kingué, associate provost for faculty engagement & inclusion; Professor Katie Faull, associate provost and faculty director for civic engagement; and Professors Courtney Burns, Kevin Daly, David Mitchell, Brandon Vogel and Kat Wakabayashi.

I am pleased to announce that the extensive national search for Buckell's next provost has successfully concluded with the appointment of Wendy Sternberg, vice president for academic affairs and dean of Occidental College. In her new role, which begins July 1, Wendy will serve as Bucknell's chief academic officer, charged with leading our faculty and academic programs to new levels of excellence in higher education.

As President Bravman shared in his fall 2023 Board of Trustees meeting summary, the trustees in October discussed the pressing need to address our shortage of campus housing, and agreed to continue these important conversations following the conclusion of the formal sessions. Informed by these deliberations, the Board approved the construction of a new residence hall. I write to provide additional information and context for this vote, which took place in December via electronic ballot.

The end of the year has always provided me a welcome opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve achieved together as a university. As our holiday break approaches, I’m so very grateful to be part of this exceptional community. There’s a tremendous sense of satisfaction in reviewing our many accomplishments, and I’m constantly invigorated by the drive and momentum that fuels an institution as ambitious as Bucknell. 

Entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the Bucknell community, and we are pleased to announce a new interdisciplinary initiative that will distinguish the University even further in this area — the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

I write to share this summary report of the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees, which took place on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 25, through Friday, Oct. 27. I am grateful to those who planned and took part in these important conversations.

We are pleased to announce that the University is creating a center for data science that will leverage the curriculum, research and expertise of faculty across Bucknell’s three colleges, benefiting students in all disciplines.

As president of this institution — one that is committed to a welcoming living and learning environment for all members of this community — I was outraged and profoundly disappointed to learn that a swastika was recently found in a residence hall on campus. Swift action was taken against this abhorrent act of antisemitism, and the conduct process has been concluded. Hateful speech, acts or symbols — directed toward any individual or group — have no place at Bucknell and will carry consequences. Let me be clear that these acts can create pain and fear in our community, and are totally unacceptable on this campus. 

The attacks committed by the terrorist organization Hamas have been reported in graphic detail. We recognize these unspeakable atrocities for what they are, and unequivocally condemn the execution and kidnapping of men, women and children. And now a massive conflict involving the realities of modern warfare has escalated, leading to more devastation that has already deeply affected us, especially those with friends and family who are directly impacted. We know that millions in Israel and Gaza will confront deep human tragedy, a result of all the complexities attendant to decades of politics and history.

In recent days, violence has escalated in Israel and the Gaza Strip, directly impacting millions of people in the region. As a diverse and interconnected community, we at Bucknell are filled with sorrow for all of those suffering in the devastation enveloping the region, even as we fear what lies ahead. 

Good evening, members of our distinguished faculty and staff. And welcome, Bucknell University transfer students and Class of 2027!

Welcome, everyone! It's great to see you all here this morning. Thank you for sharing some of your time. This is my 14th year as your president. I'm extraordinarily proud of what we, together, have accomplished; of how we have come through a global pandemic; and of the shared visions we have for advancing Bucknell.