March 24, 2023
Dear Members of the Connecticut College Community,
I am writing to let you know that I informed the Board of Trustees this week that I will be stepping down as President of Connecticut College at the end of the current semester.
I have loved my time at Conn. It has been an honor to serve this College for the past nine and a half years. Together, we have accomplished a great deal, from renovating our approach to the liberal arts, to transforming our campus landscape, to navigating our way through a global pandemic. I remain indebted to so many people—students, faculty, staff, senior leaders, trustees, alumni, parents, and colleagues here in New London and beyond—whose talent, conviction and generosity have made this work possible.
Certainly, the road has not always been easy. It never is, when the work is so important and the goals so ambitious. The past several weeks have proven particularly challenging, and as president, I fully accept my share of responsibility for the circumstances that have led us to this moment.
For the past nine and a half years, I have devoted myself to advancing educational excellence and equity at this College. I care deeply—and I always have—for the success of our faculty, the well-being of our staff, and above all, the intellectual, social, and professional development of our students. My decision to leave at this moment is for the good of all these things.
When I was first introduced to Connecticut College in 2013, one of the qualities that moved me most was the special ethos of the Conn community. It is born of a deeply held value of inclusive education, a shared belief in hard work, and a willingness to personally engage in thorough, thoughtful discernment for the greater good.
For my part, I have thought hard about the events of the past weeks, and I know I will continue to learn from them. I hope it is possible for everyone to do the same, for there are many lessons here. It is only through careful, honest discernment that a community can grow towards peace, wisdom, and justice. That is my wish for Conn.
My heart will always hold a special place for you.
Sincerely,
Katherine Bergeron
President