Dear Members of the TC Community,

For all of us, this time leading up to the academic year’s end is both struggle and joy. We are all feeling the pressure of meeting deadlines, wrapping things up and also taking time to celebrate major accomplishments—including 2,200 students who are receiving degrees this month. Our graduates reflect the contributions of our staff, the mentorship and vital input of our faculty, and the peer support of fellow students throughout the year. That is our TC community at work.

Celebrating our Staff Graduates: One of the benefits of working at TC is tuition support, and a great many of our full-time staff take advantage of that. This year, 32 TC employees are receiving degrees and many more are enrolled in programs. I look forward to celebrating this year’s graduates this month at our first-ever recognition ceremony coordinated by SASC and supported by HR and the Division of Community & Student Affairs. That’s in addition to those who will cross the stage in our convocation ceremonies the week of May 18th. Most of our students balance jobs, life and graduate study at the same time and that always inspires me; our TC employees who are graduate students also contribute so much to the life of the College in many ways and I am grateful to them all.  

Appreciating our Faculty: Monday marks the beginning of our annual Faculty Appreciation Week, and they of course also contribute so much to the culture and life of the College, while also supporting, mentoring and educating our graduate students. I hope you will join me in taking a few moments to share your appreciation for their impact on you, and the life of the College. You can do this by posting a comment on the Faculty Appreciation Week website or by submitting a handwritten note in the drop box, located in front of Everett Lounge in Zankel Hall.

Supporting our Students: Finally, as our students meet their requirements to complete the year, I invite all of us to share our encouragement as they work toward the finish line. We are so grateful to our students for their hard work and their commitment to contributing to the public good, building their skills and knowledge as they move forward as world leaders, scholars and researchers.

I celebrate, appreciate and support you all.

With best wishes for the weekend ahead,

Thomas Bailey
President 
Teachers College, Columbia University