President Valerie Smith shared the following message with the community on September 19, 2019:

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff Members,

Please join colleagues and friends for a catered barbecue lunch as we begin this academic year dedicated to Celebrating Black Excellence: Honoring Our Past, Imagining Our Futures.

Please note that Sharples and other dining facilities will be closed in order for all members of the community to join in this celebration.*

With this lunch, we officially kick off the year in which we recognize the 50th anniversary of the Black Cultural Center, the 50th anniversary of the Black Studies Program, and the 25th anniversary of the Chester Children’s Chorus, among other important anniversaries. As we honor these milestones and the contributions of the black community at Swarthmore throughout our history, we remember what lies at the heart of Swarthmore’s mission: the promise of a broad education enriched by diverse perspectives that help educate and enlighten our students.

In addition to this community event, I invite to you to visit the BCC’s 50th anniversary exhibit in McCabe, attend next Monday's panel discussion featuring directors of black cultural centers, and explore other events and features described in more detail at www.swarthmore.edu/blackexcellence.

I hope to see you there!

Valerie Smith
President

*Sharples Dining Hall will close at 10:30 a.m. and re-open at 4 p.m. for dinner service
Essie Mae's Snack Bar will close at 10:30 a.m. and re-open at 2 p.m.
Cafe at Science Center will close at 11 a.m. and re-open at 2 p.m.
Kohlberg Coffee Bar will close at 11 a.m.