Dear Members of the Swarthmore Community,

In gratitude for the example of Nelson Mandela's life's work and in solemn recognition of his passing, the American flag atop Parrish Hall flies at half-staff, as it does across the nation. I quote here from Maya Angelou's poem written in tribute to the man who modeled for us all what it takes to strive to be an effective champion for the creation of a more just and humane world:

"Nelson Mandela's day is done. We confess it in tearful voices. Yet we lift our own to say thank you. Thank you, our Gideon. Thank you, our David, our great, courageous man. We will not forget you. We will not dishonour you. We will remember and be glad that you lived among us, that you taught us and that you loved us all." - Maya Angelou

Sincerely,
Rebecca Chopp
President