Dear Lawrentians:
As we approach the end of the fall term, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for each member of our Lawrence community. This has been a season marked by hard work, creativity, compassion, and collective strength. As we look ahead to the holiday break, I hope you’ll give yourselves the gift of rest and restoration—you’ve earned it.
Our campus has been energized by remarkable achievements this month. Our Symphonic Wind Ensemble delivered an incredible performance that filled Memorial Chapel with power and joy, and our students in Opera Scenes offered a captivating evening of music and storytelling. I also want to extend heartfelt congratulations to Copeland Woodruff, Mary and Michael Jaharis Director of Opera Studies and Associate Professor of Music, and the entire cast and crew of Cendrillon & Alice Tierney, which was recently awarded 3rd place in the 2025 American Prize in Opera Performance. This national recognition is a testament to their artistry, dedication, and collaborative spirit.
We also celebrate David McGlynn, Professor of English, who will give a reading from his new book and debut novel Everything We Could Do at Boswell Book Company in Milwaukee on December 3. His work continues to elevate Lawrence’s presence in the literary world, and we are proud to support his latest accomplishment. Congratulations!
In the classroom and beyond, achievement and innovation continue to flourish. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Makerspace, a creative hub that has empowered students across disciplines to imagine, experiment, and build. A special thanks to Angela Vanden Elzen, who has not only faithfully stewarded the Makerspace these past many years, but who pioneered the development of this valuable campus resource.
A more recent campus facility is earning accolades as well! Lawrence University and the Trout Museum of Art were nominated for the Downtown Appleton “Dreamers and Doers Award” for our joint development of West Campus. This award recognizes a business, organization or individual who has significantly enhanced the physical or economic landscape of downtown Appleton. While we have always known the incredible impact that West Campus would have on our campus community, it is deeply meaningful and affirming to see that impact transcend the boundaries of campus and have such a marked effect on the greater downtown community. The winners of the Appleton Downtown awards will be announced on December 2.
We are also celebrating an extraordinary act of generosity: a real estate gift in City Center East valued at $2.4 million. This transformative gift will allow Lawrence to continue elevating the student experience, ensuring our students learn and thrive in cutting-edge facilities that support them throughout their Lawrence journey. It also deepens our commitment to the downtown corridor and cements a renewed chapter of campus and community engagement.
Our Vikings have given us much to cheer about this term. Winter Athletics is off to a strong start, and our teams are competing with determination and heart. A special belated congratulations to Women’s Volleyball, which smashed the program’s single-season win record earlier this fall—a testament to their skill, teamwork, and resilience—and to Men’s Cross Country, who won the Midwest Conference Championship for the second time in four years, as well as to Coaches Jason Fast and Shelby Baldwin, who were recognized as “Coaching Staff of the Year”!
Finally, I want to wish all our students the very best in your finals this week. You have worked incredibly hard this term, and I know you will finish strong. Please remember to take care of yourselves and one another during this busy time.
And as we head into the holiday season, may you find time for gratitude, connection, and renewal. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus refreshed and ready for a meaningful winter term.
Warm wishes,
President Laurie A. Carter