I am finishing up Arundhati Roy’s memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me, and have learned so much. Her writing, as always, is tremendous, and her stories beautifully highlight the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the way even the smallest of moments can shape a life. I was also surprised that I learned so much and better understood the rise of Hindu nationalism. Ultimately though, her descriptions are powerful and out of the ordinary. A beautiful and meaningful journey for the reader. If you want one of the best openings to a novel, I encourage you to read her first chapter. 

The novel is rich with such descriptions time and time again.

I have been deeply disturbed by the killings of two citizens by federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. In moments like this, we feel the tension between patience and courage. One the one hand, my inclination is to resist panic, trust in due process, and recognize that change will take time. But at what point does patience become complicity? When the basic right to life feels uncertain and we can no longer trust the individuals and institutions meant to keep us safe, we must find the courage to stand up, act, and demand transparency, accountability, and a commitment to justice that honors every human life. 

This past weekend, like many of you, I was fortunate to be safely indoors in my warm home, protected from the heavy snowfall. But I could not turn a blind eye to all that was happening out my window, and I don’t mean the storm. Our dining and facilities teams braved significant snow accumulation and messy roads to make sure our campus was safe and our boarding students were fed. There is a lot of snow out there, and our facilities team, in particular, has been working nonstop to clear paths, keep buildings running, and ensure that our campus is safe. I am deeply grateful for their dedication and care, and I hope you will join me in thanking them — and the dining team — whenever you see them on campus.