Around the University

Welcome back, Bulldogs!
 
The new academic year is officially underway, and it has been wonderful to see our campuses come alive with the energy of new and returning students.
 
I want to begin by thanking everyone who helped welcome our students back, especially those who worked overtime to put together the incredible extravaganza for our newest students – our largest undergraduate class in several years! It was wonderful to see so many students enjoying themselves and beginning their Redlands experience together.
 
The excitement extended across all campuses, including Los Angeles, where we are especially pleased to welcome our students into this next chapter as part of the University of Redlands. Bringing our campuses together as one University is an important part of our future, and I am grateful to everyone who has worked so thoughtfully to make that transition possible. There is still much to do, but there is also much to celebrate as we begin this new year together.
 
On Sunday, August 30, I had the pleasure of joining University Trustee Steve Jones and representatives from across Bulldog Athletics to welcome our 600 student-athletes to a new academic year. Many thanks to Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nikki Ayers for organizing such a great event.
 
And a big thank you to Bulldog Eats (Chartwells), our new dining partner on the Redlands campus, for diving right in during an incredibly busy opening weekend. The food was wonderful, and we appreciated all of the work that went into feeding our students and their families!
 
A reminder for Redlands faculty and staff: You can now enjoy discounted meals at The Commons throughout the week, including 50% off on Wednesdays and 25% off on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Additionally, for those who had meal plan balances on the books with Harvest Table, those funds have officially transferred to Chartwells, who will honor them. If you have questions about your balance, please contact Human Resources.
 
Congratulations to Professor of Biology Lisa Olson, who was recently awarded a $475,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health. We will share more about Lisa’s research and this exciting grant in the weeks ahead. For now, congratulations, Lisa!
 
If you’ve been around the Redlands campus lately, you’ve likely noticed a few projects underway. Here’s a quick update on two of them:

• Memorial Chapel: The Chapel remains closed while repairs are underway following ceiling damage caused by a water leak. We anticipate that the Chapel will reopen in early 2027, once the necessary repairs are complete.
• Duke Hall: Duke Hall remains fully open and operational while repair work continues on portions of the building’s exterior soffits. Scaffolding has been installed around portions of the building, but it does not obstruct any of the main entrances. Barring any unforeseen issues, the work is expected to be completed during the first week of October.

Mark Your Calendar

• September 9 | Sylvia Hobart Mack Wellness Hub Dedication | 3:30 p.m.
  Our School of Education will celebrate the dedication of the Sylvia Hobart Mack Wellness Hub.
• September 9 | BSFSAA Kickback | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Library East Lawn
  Our friends with the Black Student, Faculty, Staff, Alumni Association are hosting a kickback on the East Lawn. Stop by, say hello, and enjoy some time with colleagues and friends.

If you were at last week’s New Student Convocation, you heard Dean Justin Rose introduce the University’s newest URReading selection: The Serviceberry. We’ll have opportunities to celebrate and explore the book throughout the year, with events happening across campus. Keep an eye out for more information.
 
There is a lot happening across our campuses as we begin this new academic year, and I encourage you to lean in, stay engaged, and take advantage of all that is happening in our community. Most of all, I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy the energy and excitement of a new year!

Sincerely,

Krista L. Newkirk
President