backstory: New kid on the block
So, I go to a lot of meetings. I bet that comes as no surprise. I bet you all go to a lot of meetings too. Well, last week, I was sitting in one of my weekly meetings, the one run by our Purchase College Provost, when suddenly someone barged in.
They were wearing a Purchase College beanie and T-shirt, shorts, a flannel shirt, another shirt tied around their waist—they looked very 90s. I was thinking to myself: Who the heck is this punk, and why are they barging into the Provost’s meeting? Well, as the person started to speak, I realized to my great surprise that it was our new president, Mike Steiper, all garbed up for spirit week—that day was decades day! (OK, I admit I wasn’t garbed up for decades day, but I did garb up for school spirit day with my Purchase merch the day before.)
I think one of the greatest things about our new president is the way in which he really encourages what I think of as “pride of place.” He does it in a deliberate and lighthearted way. And it’s so nice to see our school colors—heliotrope and puce—yes, heliotrope and puce (you can learn more about how we got those (unofficial, I think) colors here) splashed around. It’s fun, and it’s energizing. I hope our pride of place translates to you being proud of Purchase too, and of the Neuberger, and of our community, which, of course, includes you!
Be well…
Tracy Fitzpatrick, Director
Neuberger Museum of Art
