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William Sanborn Pfeiffer

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William Sanborn Pfeiffer
President

William Pfeiffer Address:
WWC CPO 6374
PO Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000

Phone: 828.771.2070

Email: pfeiffer@warren-wilson.edu

Periodic Reports

May 22, 2009 Report to Campus 5/25/2009 - 8:27 With the 2008-2009 academic year behind us, I’m writing to highlight a few important issues for the coming year—and to comment on the fine graduation exercise that occurred last week.

 

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February 2009 report to campus 3/3/2009 - 10:58

As I write you this morning, I’m surveying a campus covered by a blanket of snow. Times like these bring out the kid in all of us. The beauty of the snow notwithstanding, I know there are students and staff across campus getting up at this early hour to do the hard work that keeps our college running in any weather. As I’ve said to many a listener over the last three years, the work commitment of our students—combined with excellent academics and extraordinary service—creates a college like no other one in the country. There’s a reason college officials constantly visit us to determine if they can graft a little of the Warren Wilson ethos on to their own colleges. Once here, they often realize our success stems not only from our commitment to the Triad but also from our ability to attract students dedicated to living it daily.

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January 2009 Report to Campus 2/2/2009 - 9:05 Now over halfway through the fiscal year, I can report that the College has fared well during the calamitous economic conditions in the nation. Here I’ll write briefly about our financial state and the general strategies to be taken in the months ahead. [more]
November 2008 Report to Campus 12/17/2008 - 14:32 by Sandy Pfeiffer In my September report I described how changes in the economy might affect the college. Although I’m confident Warren Wilson will thrive in the years ahead, I now have a better idea of the steps we must take to ensure that it does. After addressing some general fiscal challenges, this report mentions some recent decisions that will enhance our mission while still responding to new budgetary pressures. [more]
October 2008 Report to Campus 11/3/2008 - 14:07 by Sandy Pfeiffer While the world pitched and swayed around us, October brought campus events reminding us that Warren Wilson continues to move along in pleasantly predictable ways. For example, we enjoyed a successful Homecoming/Reunion on a beautiful fall weekend; the Board of Trustees had a productive meeting at which they welcomed four new trustees and approved our 2009-2010 budget; the Student Caucus joined Evelyn and me for a great meal (courtesy of Brian and his colleagues); and the Environmental Leadership Center met with its very strong group of supporters.
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September 2008 Report to Campus 10/9/2008 - 11:27 This September report to campus includes a "state-of-the-college" update I presented to Staff Forum yesterday afternoon, focused mainly on the economy. The complete text is included below. In addition, I want to thank all of you who participated in the fabulous Homecoming, reunion, and family events this past weekend. And finally, my congratulations to Jessica Wooten and the Recycling Crew for our being designated the nation's "leading school for waste reduction and recycling" by the National Wildlife Federation.

Sandy Pfeiffer [more]
August Report to Campus 9/8/2008 - 9:09 by Sandy Pfeiffer Since my last report, the fine work of many members of our community has brought recognition to the College. I’ll mention a few examples in this report, while also including brief updates on service, enrollment, budget, and governance. [more]
Summer Report to Campus (June/July) 8/4/2008 - 14:43 by Sandy Pfeiffer Last night Evelyn and I hosted a dinner for about 25 friends of the College, who then accompanied us to a great Swannanoa Gathering concert at Kittridge. Having the Gathering as part of our community during the summer reminds me that the culture at this college has extraordinary depth and diversity throughout the entire year. Besides attending events like Gathering concerts and taking some vacation, I’ve spent much of the summer planning for the year ahead. The planning continues next week when the President’s Advisory Council holds a retreat to discuss major issues for the current academic year and beyond. I thought I would use this “summer report” to cover a couple such issues. By the way, this year I’ll continue my custom of sending you periodic reports that are also posted on my web site. Besides the report you’re now reading, there will be eight more: for August, September, November, December/January (combined), February, March, April, and May/June/July (combined). [more]
April-May 2008 Report to Campus 5/2/2008 - 14:15 With the end of the semester just a few weeks away, I’ve decided to send you a combined report that looks back to April as well as forward to May. My next report, which will cover late May and June, will likely come your way about July 7, after the July 4 holiday.
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March 2008 Report to Campus 4/3/2008 - 14:46 by Sandy Pfeiffer In March, campus activities began to accelerate to a pace that won’t slow until Commencement, after which point the summer cycle starts—with summer work crews, the Gathering music festival, our culinary school, and more. Recently Sam Scoville told me that in summers past, faculty and staff labored together on projects like painting buildings and the like. Though I don’t suspect we’ll return to that model, hearing about it reminded me that we live in a special community with a unique history and culture. We’re also special in how we handle spiritual matters, so I thought I would speak to that issue in this month’s report. [more]
February 2008 Report to Campus 3/4/2008 - 9:47 by Sandy Pfeiffer This Leap Day brings us near the close of a winter season that finally brought cold temperatures and even a little snow on campus. Yet the daffodils are blooming in my yard, over twenty calves have been born on the College Farm (so I’m told by Eliza Sydney, a member of the Farm Crew), and students are starting to wear shorts and T-shirts on warmer days. Spring is close at hand, but here I’ll reflect on a few events of the last month of a winter now ending.
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December 2007 Report to Campus 12/26/2007 - 8:33 by Sandy Pfeiffer The campus is strangely quiet today, with most students having left for holiday destinations near and far. Although it’s a good time for me to catch up on paperwork, I already miss the wonderful activity that envelops this campus when it’s full of 800-plus students. [more]
November 2007 Report to Campus 11/30/2007 - 13:36 by Sandy Pfeiffer This month we received more great news about how the world beyond campus views our college. Here I’ll mention several examples, highlight an upcoming meeting about governance, and give my response to a policy recently recommended to me by Staff Forum. [more]
October 2007 Report to Campus 11/2/2007 - 16:38 by Sandy Pfeiffer I’m using this monthly report to offer some thoughts about our governance process. My goal is to get us thinking about changes that might give more members of the community the chance to influence the direction of the College. But before I launch into that discussion, I’ll comment briefly about happenings on campus this past month, offer a “communication opportunity” to students, and give you the latest draft of a “vision statement” I’ve been sharing with you. [more]
September 2007 Report to Campus 10/1/2007 - 9:07 by Sandy Pfeiffer I’ll start by thanking all who participated in the 24-hour run/walk marathon that just ended this morning (Sunday). [more]
August 2007 Report to Campus 9/4/2007 - 10:57 by Sandy Pfeiffer The fall term has begun well with the arrival of a terrific group of first-year students. They have hit the ground running in classes, work assignments, and extracurricular activities. From all I’ve heard and seen, the Admission Office once again has delivered a group of students of whom the College can be proud. So I’ll start by thanking Richard Blomgren and his Admission colleagues for their successful recruiting efforts. [more]
July 2007 Report to Campus 8/2/2007 - 15:17 by Sandy Pfeiffer My first monthly report of the new fiscal year includes some summer activities and outlines a few topics the deans, vice presidents, and I discussed recently— particularly at our two planning sessions. Note that we’ve adopted a new name for the Administrative Council. [more]
May-June 2007 Report to Campus 5/31/2007 - 15:08 by Sandy Pfeiffer This will be my last report to you for the academic year because I’m planning some time off later in June. I’ll cover events of May and mention a couple items about the month ahead. [more]
April 2007 Report to Campus 5/1/2007 - 16:30 by Sandy Pfeiffer Many people spent untold hours in preparing for the events associated with my Installation as president of the college last Saturday. My thanks to all of you who took part, especially the College Relations staff. Every event was handled professionally and appropriately, and Evelyn and I deeply appreciate it. [more]
March 2007 Report to Campus 4/4/2007 - 15:14 by Sandy Pfeiffer March was one of the busiest months of the year for all of us at the College. So I’ll write a bit more than my usual overview. [more]
February 2007 Report to Campus 3/2/2007 - 9:42 by Sandy Pfeiffer This monthly report will deal exclusively with our planning process. [more]
January 2007 Report to Campus 1/26/2007 - 16:15 by Sandy Pfeiffer I’m sending this month’s report a bit earlier than usual because it contains some important announcements, several of which I mentioned this week at Staff Forum.
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Warren Wilson College December 2006 Report to Campus 12/22/2006 - 13:00 by Sandy Pfeiffer Solstice 12/21/06 [more]
Warren Wilson College three year action plan 12/19/2006 - 12:32 by Sandy Pfeiffer Since last summer the Administrative Council has been developing a 3-Year Action Plan mentioned in my August Convocation Address. Now the Council has completed a draft for your review and comment. This memo briefly describes our planning process and gives guidelines for how you can participate in it. [more]
Warren Wilson College November 2006 Report to Campus 11/27/2006 - 14:17 by Sandy Pfeiffer One temptation in these monthly missives is to provide a laundry list of my activities for the last 30 days. I’ll keep resisting that temptation, in favor of noting just a few items that give you the flavor of my experience and my perceptions about the state of the College. I’ll start with academics. [more]
Warren Wilson College October 2006 Report to Campus 11/3/2006 - 11:57 by Sandy Pfeiffer October was a fine month for Warren Wilson, so much so that this brief summary can't include all important events and awards. That fact speaks to the success you have helped bring to the College. [more]
Warren Wilson College September 2006 Report to Campus 10/3/2006 - 9:21 by Sandy Pfeiffer In this report, I’ll highlight a few activities of the last month and several decisions that will affect the future of the college. [more]
Warren Wilson College August 2006 Report to Campus 9/5/2006 - 10:47 by Sandy Pfeiffer, President As I noted in last month’s report, my first month on the job (July) was devoted mostly to getting to know members of the campus community, attending a seminar for new presidents in Boston, and experiencing many summer events hosted by the college. My second month has given me more exposure to campus life and to the issues we’ll face this year and beyond. [more]
Warren Wilson College July 2006 Report to Campus 8/4/2006 - 9:28 by Sandy Pfeiffer, President Each month I’ll send you a short email report, to include highlights of the previous month and reference to a few events ahead. Also, these reports will be placed on WWC’s web site (see “President’s Page” under the “Information” drop-down menu). [more]
Greetings to the College Community 7/13/2006 - 14:30 by Sandy Pfeiffer Evelyn and I want to thank you for welcoming us to Warren Wilson. We're looking forward to being part of this wonderful college and feel very fortunate to be here. [more]