President's Office
Donald P. Lofe, Jr., President and Chief Transformation Officer
Dear Westminster College Community,
I want to thank all of you for the significant support I have received since arriving here in June 2020. The Board of Trustees’ decision last spring to appoint me Westminster College’s 23rd president is, as I have said before, an extraordinary and humbling experience for someone who walked through the Columns for the first time as a young high school graduate more than 45 years ago. Your ongoing encouragement, supportive comments, and correspondence regarding this appointment have been very much appreciated!
As we move forward into the 2021-2022 Academic Year and continue, with your help, to develop and execute the College’s numerous initiatives we have discussed together throughout the last year, even more teamwork and collaboration across all functions and disciplines will be crucial to our success. Meanwhile, the Board and I truly believe the College is making substantial progress in its initiatives to achieve a financially and operationally sustainable future. As an example, the College announced the successful closing of its $13,010,000 (Par Value) Series 2021 Bonds issued through the Industrial Development Authority of Callaway County, Missouri, on July 29, 2021. Approximately $3 million of the proceeds of the Series 2021 Bonds will be used to provide facility improvements, updates, and renovations to the historic America’s National Churchill Museum, including the continued restoration of the 17th century Christopher Wren Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, which is the centerpiece of the Museum. These bonds, which received significant market interest and were sold to certain sophisticated investors in a private placement, clearly demonstrate the external interest in the College’s ongoing endeavors.
July 30-August 1, we conducted the grand reopening of the Museum, which included a variety of events and activities. Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson graciously attended the opening ceremony and offered a few remarks. Others present included local and state representatives. A celebration the evening prior to the opening ceremony included Missouri Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft and his family. Alumni and friends of the College and Museum also were in attendance.
This fall, the College excitedly witnessed the Class of 2025 ― the largest class in five years ― arriving to campus. The approximately 230 freshmen and transfer students were officially welcomed to the Westminster College community during New Student Convocation, which included our time-honored tradition of the Columns Ceremony. As the new president of the College, I was very proud to follow the Class of 2025 through the Columns, as well, which is also an enduring tradition for all new Westminster presidents.
On August 31, the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a new strategic plan and related initiatives developed by the College. Following the adoption of the strategic plan, on October 5, the Cabinet and I gave an all-campus State of the College address, where we provided an in-depth presentation on the College’s ongoing strategic planning initiative. We outlined the significant progress the College has made in a number of areas, from Academic Affairs to Institutional Advancement to Student Life (and more), these past 15 months. Although the journey we are embarking upon together, and its related changes, will take time, I have every confidence that we will continue to build a bright future for Westminster College: for today’s students and for future generations.
We have much to be optimistic about, now and in the future. I look forward to continuing our transformation endeavors and working together, and I thank you again for everything you have and are doing for Westminster College!
Sincerely,
Donald P. Lofe, Jr.
President and Chief Transformation Officer