Monday, September 3, 2018
I hope everyone’s shopping period is going well and schedules are coming together in ways about which you are excited. I wish all the best for a wonderful semester.
A tragedy
Yesterday, of course, Dean Chun sent out a message to all with news that one of our Yale College students has died. Such news, while sad for all, will also affect our students in different ways. It will be hardest for those who were his friends. For others, it will raise concerns about themselves or their own friends. So too can it make losses of your own salient and renew old pain. As our Dean and others have already urged, make use of Yale’s resources for support if needed – you may talk with counselors from our Mental Health and Counseling Center, visit Yale Health or call 203-432-0123. You might also reach out to Walden Center if talking with a peer seems right for you or you may talk with someone at the Yale Chaplain’s office.
Here in Trumbull know that you can talk with me, with Dean Chandhoke, with one our resident fellows, and, of course, with one another. Your concerns need not be large to seek us out – you might, for instance, just find this to be settling.
Our sailing Trip on Saturday
Trumbull is going sailing this coming Saturday, Sept. 8th. The weather looks as if it will be perfect – with temperatures in the 70s and sunny skies. We have our fingers crossed for a nice wind but don’t worry – there is what sailors call iron wind (the motor) if there’s not enough natural wind.
We have three spots left on the trip (and a waitlist) if you still wish to sign up. 47 of us (including me, our Associate Head, our Dean and her spouse) are going.
We leave the front gate at 1:15. You should gather there at 1:00. We’ll have snacks and water available for the bus and there will be food on the boat. We’ll have a supply of sun block and some extra hats but bringing your own hat is a great idea. We’ll be back at Trumbull by 6 or so (in time for dinner and evening activities.)
NOTE: If you change your mind please, please let us know ahead of time. Up through Friday at 4:00 p.m. you can come into the office (or send Debra Rueb an email at debbie.rueb@yale.edu) to let us know. After that, notify me directly via email (margaret.clark@yale.edu). If there is a waitlist, we’ll contact people immediately to let them know they are “in.” Be on time at the gate!
Tonight: Proof of the Pudding, Trumbull Common Room
Proof of the Pudding (a singing group at Yale) will be singing and holding a reception in our Trumbull Common Room from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. this evening. All are invited.
Congratulations to Trum-Alum Jaeden Graham
Trumbull (and Yale) football star, Jaeden Graham, Trumbull Class of 2018 is a member of the Atlanta Falcons! He was selected for their practice squad this past weekend. We wish him the best. (And, we wish all our Trum-Varsity-Athletes the best this year. We will be cheering for all of you.)
Upcoming teas for which you might want to do a bit of preparation (although that’s not a requirement!)
#1 Min Jin Lee: Nov. 29, 2019
In the fall there will be a jointly sponsored (Davenport & Trumbull) tea that will feature Min Jin Lee who has written the book Pachinko (which was a National book Award Finalist and which has received terrific reviews). It is a book about four generations of a Korean family who immigrate to Japan. I read it this summer and loved it. Linda Wargo (resident fellow in Trumbull) has also read it and she’s the one who recommended it to me.
John Witt, Head of Davenport, has also read it and recommends it.
Min Jin Lee is a Trumbull alumnus. She reports (in her acknowledgement) that the idea for the book came from a Trumbull tea at which a missionary to Japan spoke. The tea was sponsored by Harry Adams (one of my predecessors here in Trumbull). He’ll return for this tea too.
So, if you’re seeking a good book to read, consider reading this one. (I know you’re busy – but there’s always October break and sometimes it’s just nice to have a good book to read.) (If you can’t afford a copy, just ask me, I’ll get one to you.)
#2 Gabby Pascuzzi: Cast member of Survivor, Season 37 (this fall), David and Goliath
Gabby Pascuzzi will be featured on the CBS show Survivor this fall (premiering on Wednesday, Sept. 26th and lasting throughout the fall semester. She knows whether she survives or not but we don’t. You’ll need to watch to find out. She has Trumbull connections so she has agreed to visit early in the spring semester once she has either survived and won a million dollars (or not). She’ll describe her experiences to us.
If you are a Survivor fan you know how to prepare for this visit. Just watch the show when you have time.
(Of course there will be time between semesters to watch episodes of the Survivor. For those who remain in New Haven over break, I’ll some viewing get togethers.)
Have an idea for a tea? Have a connection to an interesting potential guest?
Let me know!