As the rate of coronavirus cases declines nationally and we move toward what will hopefully be a less restrictive phase of the pandemic, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past two years and express personal gratitude to the Ashland community for your support during what has been trying times. My presidency…
In September of 2019, the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation hosted a conference with the International Joint Commission (IJC). The purpose was to give local experts and the public an opportunity to share their water quality concerns for Lake Superior and the larger Great Lakes basin. The public hearing portion of the event…
Some years ago, I began an address to an organization facing uncertain times with a quote from the poet T.S. Eliot: “humankind cannot bear very much reality.” As I repeated the line for effect, an elder in the crowd uttered, “but young man, we must!” After the laughter in the room subsided, I recovered enough…
How are you going to teach outdoor education online? was the question I was asked most this summer. As a professor of outdoor education, each time I’d read a news story about another COVID-19 outbreak at a summer camp, athletic program, or military base, I’d doubt anew whether we’d be able to run our signature…
As Northland College continues to negotiate the perils of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have pledged to update the community on the status of our campus. Accordingly, I took the opportunity to report to the Ashland City Council earlier this month, and I anticipate remaining in close communication with city officials during the 2020-21 academic cycle.…
In less than ten days, Northland College will begin welcoming students back to the Bay area in accordance with a phased return-to-campus schedule. During the past several months, College leadership and I have been developing and processing guidelines to monitor and contain the spread of COVID-19 and sustain a safe living and learning environment as…
Many of us are feeling stressed by the disruption and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. To cope, more and more of us are turning to outdoor recreation. This makes sense, as being outdoors is a proven way to combat stress and promote positive well-being. As a professor of outdoor education, I’m encouraged to see…
In November 2019, I was appointed the fifteenth president of Northland College, after having served as the College’s chief operating officer for a little more than a year. Among my many duties as president, the most vital have been sustaining the College’s academic, financial and facilities infrastructures; reaffirming our vibrant mission around environmental responsibility and…
Congratulations graduates! These three virtual events celebrate your time and accomplishments at Northland College. This is not a replacement for your commencement ceremony, but rather a way for us to gather, demonstrate our pride in your achievements, and to acknowledge commencement weekend. Enjoy the videos.
On March 13 when it became real that we would not have any spring concerts it was a big hit to the soul. One thing that every director loves is the final product, the coming together, the last production…..The Concert. It is the chance to have all the hours of practice and preparation be put together…
