Dr. Palmer’s Update: November 2010

It’s harvest season. Here at Principia our students are reaping the fruit of their fall labors. The rewards are showing up in district, regional, and state post-season athletic competitions, through exceptional writing projects and other academic work, and on stage with inspiring dance, music, and theatre performances.

Even some of our youngest students are finding ways to stretch and give back to the community. The first-grade class recently teamed up with a group of middle schoolers to make apple juice. They washed, cored, and pressed fresh apples, selling the juice for 25 cents a cup. The money they raised will support the first phase of School renovations currently underway.

First-grade teacher Angela Wohlfarth says, “We’ve been intrigued by the boarded walls along our hallways where from time to time big men with hard hats come and go.” After the apple juice sale, first graders took a tour of the Lower/Middle School Library renovation site. “The highlight for many of the first graders was to wear their own hard hat!” Mrs. Wohlfarth says.

The class also made apple pies and delivered them to the neighborhood firehouse up the street where the students recently took a tour. “First grade plans to continue giving back to our community in surprise ways throughout the school year!” their teacher promises.

Early in 2011, Middle and Lower School students will start enjoying renovated spaces for their library and art room, the first phase of upgrades to School facilities. In the latest video update at the construction site, Middle School Director Alyssa Henn shares how these new spaces have been designed to support the goals of unity, identity, and functionality. Check it out!

To learn more about this project and ask questions, tune in to Principia Internet Radio next Thursday, November 11 (8–9 p.m. CST), for the first in a series of live “Principia Chats.” Alyssa, our Middle School Director, and Chief Administrative Officer Peter Stevens will share details about the renovation, its impact on the student experience, and how the project fits into Principia’s comprehensive strategic plan.

Future “Principia Chats” will bring additional insights and updates on how Principia’s strategic plan is being translated into action on both campuses. Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 9, when College Dean of Academics Scott Schneberger will talk about what’s happening at the College, including international opportunities, online learning, master’s degrees, and the new teaching and learning centers.

Since spring, the College has been actively engaged in a campus master planning effort. The process involves broad-based discussions with all stakeholders and an initial focus on the academic center of the campus, including a new “core academic building.” Envisioning a new academic center moved to the top of the priority list when it was determined that our current library building is reaching the end of its useful life. It’s exciting to begin thinking about how a new “learning commons” (a key component of the core academic building) could be designed to best support Principia College students of the future.

The busy fall season at the College has included hosting the 11th Pan-African Conference. This student-run conference brought together leading academics, government officials, and educators from around the world to discuss the eight Millennium Development Goals in Africa. Panels, presentations, and discussions were deep and rich, providing students from Principia and surrounding colleges and universities (including University of Missouri, St. Louis University, and Washington University) excellent opportunities to engage with the panelists and guests.

Principia continues to examine opportunities for establishing a satellite location in Africa. Administrators will be visiting the continent again early next year to continue moving forward on this key strategic initiative.

The College’s new Leadership Institute has named about a dozen Fellows, current students who will be delving into the concepts and practices of leadership on an ongoing basis. These students will be reviewing leadership theories and models, working on leadership skills, and applying those skills in leadership positions on campus. They’ll also meet periodically with Principia alumni and friends who are experienced leaders. In addition, they’ll assist with Leadership Institute programs, help develop a leadership resource center, and support Institute communications.

As you can tell, there’s a lot happening at Principia these days. Gratitude abounds. And alumni and other friends are at the top of our long list of reasons Principia is grateful! Thanks for your support.