By Aden Sievert<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College president Andrea Chapdelaine announced to students in an email sent Thursday, March 28, that she has submitted her resignation to the college\u2019s Board of Trustees after accepting a position as the president of Connecticut College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapdelaine\u2019s resignation will be effective at the end of her current contract, June 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are a lot of accomplishments that I am proud of, but I want to acknowledge that it is the students and the people that I work with that I have most enjoyed, and without them, none of these accomplishments would have been possible or worth doing,\u201d Chapdelaine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During Chapdelaine\u2019s tenure at Hood, she has had her fair share of tough days and challenges. On her first day, there was a flood in the basement of East Cottage, as well as a car that caught fire near Brodbeck Hall. Chapdelaine also dealt with the pandemic during her tenure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pandemic was very hard, but everyone came together and Hood was a shining example of how to take care of each other and keep moving ahead,\u201d Chapdelaine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the recurring challenges that Chapdelaine dealt with during her time is resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel there are never enough hours in the day or enough funding to do all the things I would like to do to make Hood a better place to learn and work,\u201d Chapdelaine said. \u201cI would say the hardest challenges are when there is conflict and discord, or when the welfare of a member or members of our community is a concern.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Chapdelaine\u2019s firm beliefs is that problem-solving is best done together. Similarly, she strives to be available and transparent in her decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presidential departures are big moments for a college and its history. Chapdelaine strongly believes in the Board of Trustees, senior team and faculty and staff, to lead Hood while we undergo this time of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHood was here for 122 years before me and it will be here long, long after I am gone. I have no doubt that they will ably steward Hood during and through this period of transition,\u201d Chapdelaine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tonya Thomas Finton, the chair of the Board of Trustees, sent an email to students detailing Chapdelaine\u2019s nine-year career at Hood and the accomplishments she has achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some initiatives Finton mentioned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapdelaine said the moments she cherishes most are the little things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLaughing with co-workers, having students over at East Cottage, seeing students shine (concerts, theater, dance, honors presentations, sports), teaching, reunion weekends, great board meetings, connecting with donors and community members, all add up to a huge impact on me,\u201d Chapdelaine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapdelaine will face challenges at Connecticut College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In late March 2023, Connecticut College president, Katherine Bergeron, stepped down from her position amid controversy that involved a fundraiser scheduled at an infamously discriminatory venue. Bergeron\u2019s stepping down came after Rodmon King, the then dean of institutional equity and inclusion, resigned over the college\u2019s decision to hold a fundraiser at Florida\u2019s Everglades Club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked about these issues at Connecticut College, Chapdelaine responded, \u201cMy focus right now is fully on Hood and doing what I can to help with the transition.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"