It was a privilege and a joy to participate in a new tradition just begun at RISD with graduating students: Senior Receptions at the President’s home.  Co-sponsored with Student Life, these events brought graduating seniors and grad students, department technicians and coordinators, staff, faculty, curators, and more together to reflect on the time they’ve spent at RISD, acknowledge relationships they have made here, and talk about their hopes and dreams.  It was a chance for me to remind them that there is an active network of alumni out there, ready and willing to provide encouragement and support, who now include them among their numbers!