It's All About the Students
The students are what it’s all about here at Principia, as far as I’m concerned. Therefore, I’m always looking for ways to get closer to the action.
For example, I recently relocated my School office from the Business Office building to the academic building. My windows now overlook the Upper School lobby. I’m enjoying seeing students hanging out, meandering to class, or zipping through on their way to practice. The other day, two student reporters from The Voice brought their lunches up the stairs from the dining room for a quick noontime interview. I’ve also appreciated bumping into faculty members more often for casual conversation or an impromptu meeting. A productive step all the way around.
As you may know, we are currently in the process of putting together interview committees for several key positions. Just last month, we began advertising for a principal of Principia School. This post will be responsible for providing a strong educational vision and leadership for our academic programs, Preschool through Upper School.
In addition, we are looking for a vice president for enrollment for all of Principia. The vice president for enrollment will manage comprehensive recruitment, retention, admission, financial aid, and scholarship programs across the institution. If you know of people who are qualified for these positions, please encourage them to read the job postings and to consider applying.
It’s been a terrific fall, filled with challenge and growth. Fall athletics are winding down, for the most part, and winter sports are getting going. Several fall teams are keeping the season alive, however.
The College rugby team—the Thunder Chickens—won the Gateway Conference by defeating their opponents decisively. They will be traveling to Greensboro, North Carolina, later this month to compete in the Open Division National Championships. Upper School boys’ soccer is competing in the District Championships tomorrow, and the Upper School cross-country team will have 13 runners in the State meet in Jefferson City this Saturday.
The College’s 13th annual Pan-African Conference starts tomorrow. The conference theme, “Africa Rising,” highlights the positive impact and influence of Africa on the rest of the world. Tired of the negative focus regarding Africa, the student leaders of this conference decided to shine a spotlight on the innovation and progress happening across the continent by bringing in technologists, business leaders, and others who are making a positive difference in Africa today. You can have a front-row seat by listening live on Principia Internet Radio. (View a full schedule of the conference.)
At the School, members of the afterschool robotics team have been hard at work programming Robopaws, their LEGO robot, and preparing for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge this Saturday. (Read more about the team and watch a video of their robot.) And the Upper School Speech and Debate class recently took part in a local Public Forum Debate competition.
The College’s fall musical, Titanic: The Musical, will be performed November 14–16. The Cox Auditorium stage is being transformed for a remarkable show exuding talent, energy, and sheer joy. The excitement is building on campus for the production of this Tony Award-winning Broadway show.
All of these events allow Principia to regularly “give truthful evidence of its purpose in being” (Education at The Principia, p. 195). After serving at several other academic institutions, I never underestimate the significance of the fact that everyone at Principia—students, faculty, parents, and alumni—knows our mission: “to serve the Cause of Christian Science . . . as an educational institution.” Having everyone on the same page in this way makes a world of difference.
Thank you for your part in helping Principia live up to this mission.