I am delighted to welcome you to Bank Street and especially to our website. As a proud alum of Bank Street's School for Children, father to two current students in the School, and a trustee since 1994, I look forward to the challenges and learning experiences that are part of serving as chair of the board. Bank Street is about teaching and learning - teaching excellence and life long learning are two of our core values. Experiential "hands-on" learning at Bank Street is founded on curiosity, inquiry, creativity, openness, and a commitment to hard work. Over ninety years ago, when this special institution began, the focus was on children, how they learned, what they needed, and how best to meet those needs - and I am pleased that while much has changed in the intervening years, our focus hasn't. It is still all about children.
During my years as a trustee, I have admired and been inspired by the dedication, integrity, and energy of three extraordinary board chairs: John Shutkin, Elizabeth Pforzheimer, and Sue Kaplan. Each one has made the College a stronger institution, better able to carry out its unique mission of leadership and service. They have set a high bar for me, and I am grateful for what I have learned by working with them.
During 2007-08, I chaired the Presidential Search Committee that brought Elizabeth Dunbar Dickey to Bank Street to succeed the exceptional Augusta Souza "Gussie" Kappner. The Search Committee represented every part of the Bank Street community, and the process of seeking a new president affirmed the qualities of collegiality and shared values that we view as central to the College.
We are very fortunate to have Elizabeth Dickey as our president. In the press release announcing her appointment, I said: "Searching for someone to succeed 'Gussie' Kappner, who has served Bank Street as president for the past 13 years with such distinction and success, was quite a challenge. Fortunately we have found an exceptional new leader in Elizabeth Dickey, who was recommended unanimously and enthusiastically by the search committee. She shares Bank Street's values and philosophy, embraces our commitment to educational equity and social justice, and brings superb academic leadership skills honed at The New School University and Antioch to guide us in accomplishing our special mission serving educators, schools, and children and families."
I encourage you to click on "A Message from the President" to learn more about Bank Street's new leader.
I also encourage you to click on the "Trustees" link to learn who is serving on our board. I am grateful to all our trustees for the many efforts they make to sustain and build Bank Street.
During 2008-09 there will be a number of events, many designed to introduce Elizabeth Dickey to Bank Street's constituencies and friends, which I plan to attend and hope to meet many more alumni, students and parents, and friends of the College.
Anthony Asnes