Dear Connecticut College Parents: Students are edging toward final exams as CC gets ready for Commencement and prepares to welcome its 10th president, Lee Higdon, this summer. Outgoing President Norman Fainstein steps down June 30. Leadership transition:  • Drawn to CC. The liberal arts “are the most practical form of education today,” says CC’s new president, current head of the College of Charleston. • Fainstein farewell. President Fainstein reflects on two not-so-disparate aspects of today’s best liberal arts colleges: fine teaching and skilled management. Other news from campus: • Nine who chose CC. It’s the time of year when high school seniors ponder college choices. Meet nine exceptional men and women who decided recently that CC is right for them. • Recycling champ. CC’s first foray into a national recycling competition with 92 other colleges and universities nets top-five finishes in four categories. • All-around standout. Zak Harris ’07 is named to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar 2006 men’s basketball second team. • Ready, set, renovate. CC has signed a $4 million contract for this summer’s work on Marshall and Hamilton, and for renovation of four classrooms. • Parent power. What happens when 29 CC parents from around the Northeast get together on campus? Holly Camerota MAT’98, P’08 and the College’s web content editor, shares the news. • The best and brightest. The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation pledges another $500,000 for scholarships that support students who are skilled leaders and contribute to CC’s cultural diversity. For more CC news and information plus a calendar of athletic and campus events, go to www.conncoll.edu. Announcements: CC makes the news. Recent highlights from national and local media. Cornel West, an internationally known intellectual and activist, will speak at CC this Saturday, April 22. The 3:30 p.m. lecture caps a two-day symposium that inaugurates the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity. Enjoy an evening of good food and camaraderie while calling other parents during an on-campus phonathon for the Parents Fund from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 4. Dinner will be provided. Please contact Nancy Picard in the Office of Annual Giving at 800-888-7549 or nlpic@conncoll.edu by April 26 if you can attend. Make a gift to CC. We welcome your feedback on our monthly newsletter. Send comments to Julie Novak at jnova@conncoll.edu. For information about CC’s Parents Committee or to update your contact information, e-mail brandy.kolmer@conncoll.edu.