From the President
Envisioning What We Can Be
Jan. 20, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Like many of you, I watched the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris this morning with awe and anticipation for a new era in our country. And with, most of all, hope – hope that we never lost, even during the worst days, as recently as two weeks ago with the assault on the Capitol. As inaugural poet Amanda Gorman wrote in her magnificent poem, "... even when we hurt, we hoped."
And thankfully, as President Biden said, "democracy has prevailed."
I think we all recognize that the divisions in our society won’t heal overnight. This new administration faces historic challenges in addressing the coronavirus pandemic, the struggling economy, climate change, and the crucial need for social justice. Yet President Biden has acknowledged all of these issues and is prepared to confront them with urgency and honesty – “I will always level with you," he said. He is moving quickly with executive orders and plans to meet immediate needs and right wrongs. His efforts will be grounded in science and facts, in equity and compassion. President Biden is a man of intellect, of heart, a man who loves. A man who has dedicated his life to public service.
Notably, President Biden selected as his running mate the first woman, the first Black person, the first South Asian person elected vice president of the United States. The image of Vice President Harris being sworn into office has stayed with me for hours, and I believe will throughout my life. She represents hope for what our nation can be.
This hope, of course, translates to what is possible at De Anza. There is so much that is good at the college, starting with our students, and the dedication you have to them. On a day of optimism, the fresh start the new president referred to, let us care for our students, for each other, and envision what De Anza College can be -- grounded in equity and compassion.
With appreciation,
Lloyd