Like Art, Belonging Must Be Created

Haskell, who will retire at year’s end following more than 27 years on The Hilltop, served as keynote speaker at last week’s Convocation ceremony after having been named winner of the Thomas M. Mikula Faculty Appreciation Award for exceptional service on behalf of students. Haskell used the opportunity to share her memories of being welcomed to campus years earlier and reminded those in attendance of their responsibility to create that same sense of belonging — as specified in KUA’s mission statement — for others.

“As an artist and an art teacher, I love that word,” Haskell said, singling out the word “create.” “It’s a word full of challenge, implying a unique and generative act that allows us to make something new over and over again. So, just as my KUA students and colleagues created a space of belonging for me, I also had a responsibility to return that grace and an opportunity to find creative ways to do that for others.”

Convocation festivities began on the Bicentennial Quad with brief comments from Rev. Amanda Swoyer P’99 of the West Lebanon Congregational Church and Academic Dean Tasheana Dukuly. All-school president then unrolled orange and black ribbons — a tradition that began during the Academy’s bicentennial year in 2013. Following the gesture, which symbolizes the deep ties among the campus community, participants processed into Flickinger Auditorium for the official opening of the school year.

Once inside, Head of School Tyler Lewis P’28, ’30 set the scene for the upcoming year.

“We have quite a remarkable journey ahead of us that nobody can predict and where change and growth will all be a constant,” Lewis said. “I have never worked with a more interesting, capable, and curious faculty than we have here to work with you at KUA. We are aligned and committed in our belief that you deserve outstanding educators in everything that you do. The people around us and how we connect with them, there’s nothing more important.”

Haskell, for her part, echoed that sentiment and reminded students and faculty of their role in creating that remarkable journey. “Together, we’ll all build an amazing KUA community held together by that deep sense of belonging that we all create for each other.”