As we bid goodbye to 2024, our 41st consecutive year of presenting the world's greatest authors, free and open to all, we pause to express our deep gratitude.
We faced some difficult days last year, but we learned valuable lessons from the experience and came through the tumult with humility and the knowledge that we can and will do better.
What sustained us then, and will continue to do so in 2025, is our large, supportive community of friends and collaborators. We consider you the Writers Institute family, including the University at Albany leadership; a growing number of faculty and students who read and discuss the books of our visiting authors; our many donors and sponsors, along with expanding audiences; the insights, energy and engagement of authors we bring to campus; and, of course, our founder William Kennedy and our talented team.
There is widespread uncertainty about what 2025 will bring, but we know that we will be able to weather the storms because of this beautiful community of readers and writers we have nurtured. There is solace in literature and strength in a shared purpose. Let us embrace the New Year as our greatest writers have always done: With optimism, open hearts, and brilliant minds.
I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Writers Institute event. Please say hello. I want to thank each of you personally for being part of the Writers Institute family.
With gratitude,
Paul Grondahl
Opalka Endowed Director, NYS Writers Institute
Commentaires