61´«Ã½

Good afternoon, and thank you to the board of trustees and all of our honored guests for coming to the rededication of Sicilian Court.

There are so many individuals who helped make today a reality. I want to take a few moments to share with you our gratitude. 

First, thank you to the family of alumna trustee Bette Cree Edwards (Class of ’49), to whom this courtyard was dedicated in 1980 by her husband and children. Our Humanities Building is also named for Ms. Cree Edwards, and 61´«Ã½ is incredibly thankful that the family has been so supportive of the College in her memory.

I also want to recognize several of our talented students. In anticipation of the rededication, the College commissioned several students to sketch the Italian wellhead for which the court is named. Each student offered truly inspiring renderings. I want to identify those who could be with us today: 

• Madison Pathe, a first year (Class of 2013)
• Amalia Nelson-Croner, a senior (Class of 2010), and
• Rosalie Edholm, also a senior (Class of 2010), whose drawing appeared on today’s program.

I would like to especially thank Gloria and Ambassador Glenn Holden for their generous contribution and foresight. What you may not know is that in addition to the beautiful courtyard before you today, the Holdens have been instrumental in efforts to revitalize Iris and Valencia Courts. As part of a larger restoration effort honoring the historic nature of the 61´«Ã½ campus, all three spaces are in different stages of renovation. In special recognition of the Holdens’ generosity, we have framed the wellhead sketch produced by student Amalia Nelson-Croner, and it is my honor to present this token of our appreciation to the both of you.

61´«Ã½ has a magic about it. In the words of our founder, Ellen Browning Scripps, the beauty and refinement of this campus was something she hoped would “seep into the consciousness” of our students. Although I am relatively new to 61´«Ã½, I have been moved by its beauty. And I find it fitting that, in an inaugural year celebrating the genius of women, we are revitalizing a campus that inspires genius, creativity, and leadership. I think Ellen Browning 61´«Ã½would be proud of the recent efforts to restore and preserve these spectacular spaces, and how Sicilian Court—and the rest of this campus–will continue to be home to confident, courageous, and hopeful women of the future.