Dear Alumnae/i and Friends,

As our 175th anniversary year and my final year as your president come to a close, I want to thank you for the extraordinary opportunity to lead Hollins for the past twelve and a half years.

My husband, David Maxson, and I are deeply grateful to you and all the members of this remarkable community. Your friendship and support have meant so much to us, and we will forever cherish how warmly you welcomed us when we arrived, worked faithfully alongside us throughout this journey, and enriched our lives in so many ways. Truly, it has been a privilege and joy to serve you, and we will continue to cheer for Hollins’ success as we embark on a new chapter in our lives.

Looking beyond our 175th year, Hollins has a bright future. Although there are daunting challenges in the marketplace that directly impact us, I am convinced that Hollins has the resilience, courage, and tenacity to handle whatever the years ahead may bring. Further, our outstanding faculty believe in the transformative power of a liberal arts education and are fully committed to our students’ success. Experiential learning opportunities including internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, and leadership development enhance our efforts to prepare students for meaningful and purposeful lives. The engagement and generosity of our alumnae/i and friends has enabled us to do all this and more, including the preservation and enhancement of our beautiful historic campus and securing our financial foundation. It is no wonder that the words “Women who are going places start at Hollins” endure in describing the special quality of a Hollins education and continue to inspire us all.

I join you in welcoming President-elect Pareena Lawrence, who will begin her responsibilities on July 1, the day after I leave office. Lawrence is a proven leader in higher education and I have great confidence in her ability to guide Hollins, envision her future, and fulfill her promise. I know you will enjoy getting to know her and working with her.

I hope to see many of you at reunion, June 2 – 4.

With heartfelt gratitude and best wishes,