The worst snowstorm in decades brought out the best of the Lawrence community earlier this week.
Your warmth and hustle metaphorically melted 21+ inches of snow to create a warm and welcoming environment for about 100 visitors who, themselves, braved nasty (and, at times dangerous) conditions to come from places like California, New Mexico, Texas, Chile, Japan, and—of course—the upper Midwest to experience Lawrence before they make their final college decisions by May 1.
Those students and their families left Lawrence with evidence that this is a community that hustles and cares in extraordinary ways:
You plowed and shoveled back-straining snow to clear the lots and paths around campus…
You prepared food on the fly and showered our guests with cookies (so many cookies)…
With classes cancelled Monday—effectively wiping out an entire day of open house programming—you answered our 11th-hour call for volunteers to come in impromptu mock classes and presentations…
You opened your house for an improvised reception that turned into a 60-person pizza party. (I’m looking at you, Mark Burstein and David Calle)…
You got out of bed early to trudge through the snow and play fiddle music to greet our guests at 8:30 Monday morning…
Colleges like to talk about their warm, welcoming, and caring communities—but on Sunday and Monday, Lawrence University showed it in ways our visitors (and I) will never forget.
Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but—on behalf of your friends on the admissions & financial aid team—I think we know how George Bailey feels at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life when the entire town comes together to help him in his time of greatest need.
Your generosity is extraordinary.
You are the Lawrence difference.
Ken Anselment
Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid