The View from Here

As I write this, I know this will be my final opportunity in these pages to reflect on my time at Hartwick College.

When I first arrived, it was as an interim president, with a clear and focused charge. What I did not anticipate was just how deeply my wife, Mari, and I would come to feel at home here.

From the very beginning, this community welcomed us in a way that felt genuine and lasting. There is something special about Hartwick. It lives in the people, in the purpose and in the shared belief in what this College makes possible for its students.

That spirit is reflected in this issue’s theme: impact. At Hartwick, impact is not abstract. You see it in the lives of our students, in the dedication of our faculty and staff and in the accomplishments of our alumni. It is evident in the way a Hartwick education shapes not only what our students go on to do, but who they become.

I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together to strengthen that impact. Over the past few years, we have worked to clarify who we are and to tell our story more clearly. In many ways, our Life Balance approach simply gave language to what has always been true about Hartwick. At the same time, we have continued to build for the future, launching new academic programs and exploring innovative approaches to ensure the College’s long-term sustainability.

None of this happens alone. I am deeply grateful to our Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve, and to our faculty and staff, whose commitment to students defines this institution. I am especially thankful for my colleagues on the senior leadership team, whose partnership has been essential in moving this work forward.

And to our students, you are the reason we do this work. You challenge us, inspire us and represent Hartwick in ways that make us all proud. Readers of The Wick magazine should take great pride in our students and in the way they carry this College forward.

As I prepare to step away, I do so with great confidence in what comes next. It has been a privilege to work alongside Laurel Bongiorno, a colleague and friend who has been an extraordinary partner and trusted leader throughout this time. She brings a deep understanding of the Hartwick experience, a strong sense of purpose and a clear vision for what lies ahead. Laurel has been instrumental in strengthening our academic programs, enhancing student success and advancing the Life Balance approach that defines our future. She is exactly the right person to guide Hartwick into its next chapter, and I know the College is in excellent hands under her leadership. I am also grateful for the support of her husband, Chuck, who has been an engaged presence. I could not be more excited to see how this momentum continues to grow.

This has been an extraordinary journey for Mari and me. What we will carry with us most is not only what has been accomplished, but the lasting impact of this community on us and on all those whose lives it touches. Your friendship, love and kindness through our days here will forever be a part of our hearts and we (and Finnley! below) will miss you deeply.

Thank you for your support, for your partnership and for all that we have accomplished together.

With gratitude,
Jim Mullen