A Special Message from President Krista Newkirk to the Converse Community

Hello everyone.

Before I start, let me introduce you to my son’s dog Cookie – just one of the three dogs that makes our household better albeit chaotic. Cookie loves walks, tug of war, chest rubs, and grumbling for treats. She’s a great companion during these crazy times.

First and foremost, let me start by saying that my heart goes out to anyone who’s been impacted by this virus, either directly or indirectly. My thoughts are especially with those who are sick, to whom I extend a heartfelt wish for a full recovery.

As I sit here, reflecting on the past several weeks, I’m sad that so many of our Converse traditions and experiences have been interrupted. But more than my disappointment and sadness, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the Converse community for facing these challenges with strength and resilience. Our faculty have been incredibly flexible and have quickly made adjustments to make sure that your education continues during this time. Our incident response team has met continuously, including on weekends and very early, to stay up to date on the latest developments and respond accordingly. Our staff has worked tirelessly to address questions, develop solutions, and help those who need it, and to lift each person up.

These are unprecedented times for us, and I am proud of how we have come together as a team to help our students and our community. I’ve appreciated the Converse community’s flexibility, understanding and patience as we work through these constantly changing scenarios that require us to make very difficult decisions.

While the environment around us is uncertain, I take comfort in the fact that we have a world-class team of faculty and staff who care deeply for the students, alumni, and friends of the institution. And, we have students, friends, alumni, and our community who care deeply about Converse. The Converse family ties are strong, and this community is at the core of who we are. Challenging times bring us even closer together. We will need the help and support of you, our community, in the days ahead.

This pandemic may be unprecedented in our lifetime, but Converse weathered the great flu pandemic of 1918, two world wars, and so much more. And, Converse will persevere through this most recent challenge as well, because we will do it together.

Our Converse community is resilient, persistent, and compassionate. We look forward to the day when we come back together at Converse and resume our mission with bold plans and a vibrant future.

Until then, take care of yourself, your families and your community – and your furry friends.