Potash Hill

Spring 2015

Editor’s Note 

In Life of Pi, Yann Martel writes, “I suppose in the end the whole of life becomes an act of letting go. But what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” We take the time to say several goodbyes in this issue of Potash Hill, principal among them a fond farewell to our fearless leader President Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, who will be moving on to hopefully more relaxing things in July. 

Ellen has always impressed me with her ability to hold a space, whether that’s in the midst of a noisy Town Meeting or a full-house commencement, with warmth and grace. We could hardly do better than remembering Ellen with a heartfelt, personal tribute from our own Peter Mallary, alumnus, parent, and loyal longtime trustee.

We also take the time to say goodbye to two beloved faculty members, Jaysinh Birjepatil and Willene Clark, who died in January. Each of them left their unique mark on Marlboro during their tenures, as well as after retirement, and the community will miss their presence.

If you don’t already know, I am happy to inform you that Marlboro has appointed Ellen’s successor, Kevin Quigley, who will start serving as president on July 1. Kevin was chosen by a multi-constituent search committee, after an exhaustive process that started with over 200 applicants and ended with his visit to campus in February for all to meet. We look forward to sharing more about Kevin in the next issue of Potash Hill, but in the meantime you can learn a bit on our website under News & Events.

As the snow slowly subsides and is replaced by snowy mud, and then by just mud, and eventually the fullness of spring, we at Marlboro are well aware that nothing stays the same. We are grateful for the positive role so many people have played in making the college what it is, and are heartened by the thought of the many more to come.

Philip Johansson, editor