Sixth President

 

Harriet B. Nembhard, Harvey Mudd College's new president, is a 5C alum (CMC '91), just like the new Pitzer president (Strom C. Thacker, PO '88). She has been on campus many months but the inauguration was held on February 29 and March 1. 

The investiture was scheduled to be held on Pomona's campus at Big Bridges.

Dignitaries were inside when protests began and it was considered a fire hazard to let people in through other doors since exits were blocked.

People walked or were shuttled to the Mudd campus

and watched the event as it was live streamed.
You can see the entire ceremony here.

Following the ceremony we formed two lines and
applauded as President Nembhard arrived on campus. 

There were even some alums who had returned with their unicycles.

Everyone was invited to lunch but we decided
to skip the informal dance in the evening.

Hearing all the speeches filled me with hope for the future. I wish President Nembhard and Harvey Mudd College all the best.

As time goes by

We were going to go to a movie as a family and then we talked about watching one and home and then we just played a game.

Ex LibrisD. creamed us but we still had a good time.

On Saturday A. had an all-day state-qualifying tournament for speech and debate. He did not break (break through, or qualify) but was fine with that. While he was gone D. and I got out and about before the heavy rain came and in the afternoon we walked to campus for a concert.

I am not sure I have ever seen Messiah Part 1,
but it did not prevent me from understanding parts 2 and 3.

We are lucky to be able to walk to concerts on campus

and to hear performances in a great facility.

On Saturday night we had planned to see a documentary by Ai WeiWei as part of a fund raiser, but we had not realized that it was over two hours long. With the time change and with alarms set for 5am we decided it would be better to pass and were in bed by 9pm.

Sunday was A's second bike race of the season and course was narrower and hillier. A. enjoyed the competition and teammates cheered each other on.  He doesn't mind the rain, but it is nice for the spectators to have a dry day.

I spent the day at Wilmer Amina Carter High School, named for a former school board member and California Assembly member. She still lives and works in the area and, according to her alma mater, she, "Is the first living African American woman in the Inland Empire to have a comprehensive high school named in her honor."

I was judging the final rounds of the state-qualifying tournament. As A. pointed out, it would be hard because these were the best people, making it harder to rank them. The good news is that instead of the typical one judge per event, there were three of us at each one.  I wish I could have given them all first place!

What we did not do was go to the LA Lakers game to see Cleveland play, but I really like this jersey!

I am in charge here

I was so nervous about judging my first speech and debate tournament, which I chose to do instead of paying a large sum of money.  It helped to carpool with someone who had judged before and who was able to give me tips. Getting a refresher course from the speech and debate coach on judging was a help, too. We were reminded that the students will respect us and that we have the final say.

So different from A.'s high school, which has no indoor stairs.

The first speeches I judged were good, which made it so hard. I did not want to give any kid last place. They were all so sweet and hardworking! I tried to answer the question, "Which speech would I want to hear again?" I also tried to remember A.'s advice and not write, "Good job," and then give them last place, but instead try to write constructive comments.

"This sign is in English when you are not looking."
I am not sure what that means, but I did like being in different classrooms.

When I wasn't judging I was hanging out in the judges' room. Snacks, coffee, and meals were provided, but since I am picky I brought my own. Talking to parents from other schools who have been doing this longer was encouraging. 

We stayed for the awards ceremony, which was run very efficiently. The third- and second-place people get a single clap done by everyone in unison and the first place person gets a brief standing ovation. I hope it teaches everyone to be supportive and a good sport.

One down, a few more to go.