President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Beginning the Spring Semester Together
January 26, 2026
Dear Reed students, faculty, and staff,
Welcome back, and happy new year. As we begin spring semester, I want to acknowledge how meaningful it is to gather again as a community after the pause of winter break. I hope that wherever you were, you found time for connection, reflection, and renewal.
A new year naturally invites hope, and I feel that hope deeply as we gather together again. Higher education, our world, and our own lives continue to be complex and demanding. Remaining hopeful with everything going on in this country and in the world today is not always easy, but it is something our community does with thoughtfulness and care.
I also want to acknowledge the fear and uncertainty we face as a result of recent and violent federal immigration enforcement activity locally and across the country. We must continue to stand up for what is right. We must also continue to make space for listening, learning, and supporting one another in ways that reflect our shared values and our concern for the well-being of every member of our community.
I am grateful for the many ways you showed up for one another last semester. One especially heartening example was the Community Table: Soup and Scribble event in early December. What began as chemistry professor Kelly Chacón’s simple invitation to share a meal and make art together became a powerful reminder of the importance of slowing down and being in community. My thanks and appreciation go to everyone who contributed to this event—especially Kelly, Chief Communications Officer Sheena McFarland, and Associate to the Office for Institutional Diversity Phú Nguyễn, for bringing the event to life and creating such a welcoming space.
The fall semester offered many moments to celebrate Reed’s intellectual and creative vibrancy. The President’s Student Showcase in September highlighted the extraordinary research, art, performances, and learning taking place across campus. Seeing students share their work—with curiosity, rigor, and imagination—was a vivid reminder of why Reed’s educational mission matters so deeply.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to our accreditation work. This effort required sustained attention, collaboration, and care, and it could not have happened without the dedication of faculty, staff, and students across the college. Your work strengthens Reed now and into the future.
As we move into the spring, I look forward to learning together, questioning together, and supporting one another through both the joys and the challenges ahead. As we continue this work, I remain confident in our community’s capacity to act with integrity, compassion, and purpose.
Warmly,
Audrey
Audrey Bilger
President
Reed College