As you may know, one of my top priorities is planning for a new or renovated humanities and arts center and a new or renovated athletic and recreation center. The need for these projects has been discussed for several years, and we have begun to make progress on both fronts. I wanted to update you on where we are today.

A planning committee recently selected the architectural firm of Hastings and Chivetta from St. Louis, Mo., to develop a conceptual design for the athletic and recreation project, estimate the total cost, determine project alternatives with cost estimates for each phase and provide appropriate drawings and documents to enable the college to undertake fundraising activities. The firm will build on the work last spring of Brailsford and Dunlavey, a planning and project management firm that helped develop the “Campus Athletic and Recreation Strategic Plan.” Hastings and Chivetta expects to complete much of its work by May. It is important to note that while serious planning on this project moves forward, the Board of Trustees and the college have made no decision on what to build or when to build it. We are hopeful that the new report will help us make those important decisions.

I am pleased to announce that building on the themes developed by last year’s humanities and arts planning group, we have developed two working groups to move this project along. An on-campus group headed by Professor Andy Overman will work to clarify and sharpen the vision for arts and humanities at the college and to determine how that vision will influence a new center. Following the recreation and athletic facilities committee model, the humanities and arts group will commission a study on program and facilities. Their report will be presented to a second group consisting of trustees and alumni who will test that vision and direction and begin to assess financing and fundraising options. Again, we have made no decision on what to build or when. That will come later.

I believe the developments I outlined are positive ones for Macalester and move us ahead on two projects crucial to our future as a leading liberal arts college. I hope you share my excitement about these possibilities. The work ahead will be challenging, but with the cooperation of members of this community and our alumni community, I am confident that we will achieve our goals.