President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: A Year of Accomplishments
May 20, 2025
Dear Reed College community,
As we close out this academic year, I write to offer my warmest congratulations to the class of 2025. Your resilience, determination, and hard work have brought you to this milestone, and we could not be more proud. We cannot wait to see the impact you will make in the world.
To all of our students, faculty, and staff, thank you for your dedication and diligence during what has been an inspiring and difficult year. The spring semester, in particular, brought difficulties. Many of us felt the impact of national policies and rhetoric that have challenged our institution’s values—academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion among them. Yet, your willingness to engage in conversation about how best to protect and serve our community and your compassion and mutual support made it possible for us to finish the year strong. I am especially grateful for the ways you showed up for one another, in and out of the classroom.
On behalf of Reed, I have been proud to join hundreds of college and university leaders in defending American higher education against unprecedented government overreach and political interference. As I said to our community last month, I firmly believe that education is the practice of freedom in an equitable and just democracy, and I will continue to work to protect and stand up for Reed College’s values.
This year has been marked by remarkable achievements throughout our campus. We conducted groundbreaking research, won prestigious awards, and found ways to celebrate the beauty the Reed community has brought into the world through performances and exhibitions. Of course, we strived for excellence at every level and found joy in our work.
Now that summer is upon us, my hope is that each of you will be able to do what lifts you up—whether that’s engaging in study abroad, pursuing research and internships, or simply relaxing and recharging. However you spend the next few months, know that I appreciate you and all you contribute to Reed.
Sincerely,
Audrey
Audrey Bilger
President
Reed College