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17�Թ��� “Treks” to SXSW

Over spring break, a group of 17�Թ��� students had the opportunity to attend SXSW, an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly in Austin, Texas.

Sights and Sounds of Celebration: Inauguration Connects Community

The 17�Թ��� community explored questions and ideas, looked ahead and celebrated in a series of events around the inauguration of the college’s 19th president, Doug Hicks ’90. The week culminated in an investiture ceremony but was bookended by community celebrations full of food and fun, and public discussions dedicated to a planned memorial to the enslaved and exploited, and 17�Թ���’s future.

Scholarship Honors Alum’s Life, Friendships and Courage in the Face of ALS

Wells Black ’94 passed away last year from complications of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. In his final months, a group of Wildcats decided to honor their friend and his courageous fight by setting up the Wells Black ’94 Scholarship at 17�Թ���.

Yovanovitch to Offer Insider’s View of What’s at Stake in Ukraine

Bestselling author and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will discuss challenges to advancing U.S. national interests worldwide, but particularly in countering Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its consequences, at 17�Թ���. Learn more.

An Enduring Purpose, a Hopeful Future: 17�Թ��� Inaugurates Douglas A. Hicks ’90

17�Թ��� inaugurated Douglas A. Hicks ’90 as its 19th president. “For any liberal arts education to go beyond understanding our world to shaping it, we need hope,” he said. “We dare to hope for a future that is more equitable and humane, with less suffering and division than we see today.” Learn more.

17�Թ��� Unveils Plans for Memorial to Honor the Enslaved and Exploited

17�Թ��� selected artist Hank Willis Thomas to create the sculpture “With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited.” He’ll work with the architectural firm Perkins&Will. The bronze sculpture will rest prominently on the campus lawn and be visible from Main Street. Learn more.

17�Թ��� is hosting a series of community events this week culminating in the inauguration of Doug Hicks as its 19th president on Friday. Waffle (cones) will be included.

Japanese Ambassador Returns to the Start of His Diplomatic Path: 17�Թ���

17�Թ��� hosts His Excellency Koji Tomita, Ambassador of Japan to the United States. Tomita's journey of lifelong service began at 17�Թ���. Learn more.

17�Թ��� Reaches Decade as a Fulbright Top Producer

17�Թ��� celebrates a decade as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Student Program winners. Find out more about the Fulbright experiences of two class of 2022 alums.

My Liberal Arts Education — Honestly, a Game Changer

Divin Dushimimana ’26, an intended public health and economics major from Rwanda, reflects on his first year at 17�Թ��� as an international student and the value of a liberal arts education to his personal and academic growth. 

17�Թ��� Student Awarded Projects for Peace Grant

The Center for Civic Engagement has named Samuel Waithira '24 this year's Projects for Peace grantee. Learn more.

Scholarship Honors Compassionate Physician and Great Tennis Talent

17�Թ��� women’s tennis great Emmy Knobloch ’82 played an inspired game, and inspired patients and colleagues in her chosen profession of medicine. Her family has honored her memory with a new women’s tennis scholarship. Learn more. 

Commitment Strengthens College’s Support of Free Expression

17�Թ���’s faculty last week affirmed a commitment to freedom of expression on campus that highlights the college’s promotion of a free exchange of ideas.

New Book on Cherokee Nation’s History Gets NEH Grant Support

With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Prof. Rose Stremlau is writing the first comprehensive history of the Cherokee Nation, from pre-1600 to 2010. The project is aimed at all readers, from scholars to school children. Learn more.

17�Թ��� Disability Alliance Facilitates Visit From Gabe Adams-Wheatley

The 17�Թ��� Disability Alliance welcomed Gabe Adams-Wheatley to campus for a wonderful discussion on self-representation, disability and beauty aesthetics, disability identity and religion, as well as queer disabled lives. 

Team Spirit: Cheer Program Reaches New Heights

The 17�Թ��� cheer team has grown under the leadership of coach Kaylee Smith. Read more.

At the 2023 HEARTsongs event in Cornelius, NC, Professor Brenda Flanagan examined the African American experience through poetry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Learn more.

Still Dreaming: Black Women Writers Offer Unflinching Honesty

17�Թ��� Assistant Professor of Africana and English studies Randi Gill-Sadler specializes in 20th century African American and Afro-Caribbean women writers. She encourages students to read the literature in conjunction with traditional historical accounts of the time periods covered. Learn more.

17�Թ��� Awards Rhiannon Giddens Honorary Degree

On Sunday, February 26, 17�Թ��� was honored to award Grammy and MacArthur award winner Rhiannon Giddens an honorary degree in fine arts before her performance on campus. Learn more.

17�Թ��� Outdoors Ventures to Joshua Tree National Park

17�Թ��� Outdoors Leaders Addie McDonough '23 and Isabel Morichi '23 reflect on their winter break trip to Joshua Tree National Park.