President's Corner
What I'm Up To
- I'm reading:
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Sy Montgomery is a NH writer, a good friend, and a wonderful writer about the animal world. Her latest book is Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. Like all of Sy’s books, you will be awestruck by the magic and wonder of her subject, in this case turtles, truly miraculous creatures, that populated earth long before dinosaurs, and that are far more full of personality than their reptilian looks and slow movements would suggest. I now love turtles. As in all of Sy’s books, she uses her animal subjects to reflect on much bigger questions. In this case, time, aging, our place in the bigger universe, the cruelty and love of which we humans are capable, and more. Her voice in the book sings with delight, humor, kindness, and wonder.
- I'm watching:
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We discovered an absolutely delightful and original Korean series, Extraordinary Attorney Woo (on Netflix). Park Eun-bin plays an autistic rookie attorney with a photographic memory, acute intelligence, and all the quirky and odd behaviors of her neurodivergent character. It was a huge hit in Korea and we can see why. The show doesn’t shy away from the prejudice the neurodiverse routinely face, but her character wins people over, there is much kindness that runs throughout, and her fascination with whales and sea mammals pops up in all kinds of unexpected ways, including a bit of surrealism. It’s fun and feel good and a legal drama like none you’ve ever seen. Also, what a fun way to get insights into Korean culture and its legal system. Suggest this response to the show from the Autism Spectrum News: https://autismspectrumnews.org/a-review-of-the-netflix-series-extraordinary-attorney-woo/
- I'm listening to:
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With the daily drumbeat of war and heartbreaking suffering from too many corners of the world, especially the Mideast and Ukraine these days, I have returned to Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3, sometimes called the “The Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.” It is a gorgeous hour-long piece in three parts, sad and beautiful at the same time. It is cathartic, soothing, and feels of this time. Gorecki wrote: "Many of my family died in concentration camps. I had a grandfather who was in Dachau, an aunt in Auschwitz. You know how it is between Poles and Germans. But Bach was a German too — and Schubert, and Strauss. Everyone has his place on this little earth. That's all behind me. So the Third Symphony is not about war; it's not a Dies Irae; it's a normal Symphony of Sorrowful Songs." Everyone has a place on this earth and deserves to live in peace and dignity.
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I'm tweeting at @snhuprez:
Fall 2023 Commencement: Stories of Impact and Inspiration
Posted on December 18, 2023
On the heels of my decision to step down as university president, I find myself reflecting on our recent Commencement ceremonies with a mix of nostalgia and pride. When I joined the SNHU community, our graduation ceremonies were vastly different, honoring just a small fraction of the learners we serve today. Back then, we were […]
Read More »My Next Chapter
Posted on December 6, 2023
Dear SNHU Community, After 20 of the best years of my professional and personal life, it is time I step down from my role as President of Southern New Hampshire University. When I came to SNHU in 2003, I found a home. In this small New Hampshire campus, I found a rock-solid commitment to mission, […]
Read More »Pop Picks – November 13, 2023
Posted on November 13, 2023
What I’m listening to: With the daily drumbeat of war and heartbreaking suffering from too many corners of the world, especially the Mideast and Ukraine these days, I have returned to Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3, sometimes called the “The Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.” It is a gorgeous hour-long piece in three parts, sad and beautiful at […]
Read More »A Message from President LeBlanc: Conflict in the Middle East
Posted on October 13, 2023
The news coming out of Israel and Gaza has once again shaken the world. While I do not expect my voice to change the events unfolding before us, I have encountered many SNHU colleagues pained by events now underway. I am compelled to reach out to our community. I recoiled at the stories of civilian massacres, […]
Read More »Response to SCOTUS Decisions this Week
Posted on June 30, 2023
There have been three major Supreme Court decisions this week with profound impacts on higher ed, our community, and our country. Below are the two responses I shared with the SNHU community this week: It has once again been a day of disappointing rulings from the Supreme Court. Today, we saw yet another ruling that […]
Read More »Pop Picks – June 26, 2023
Posted on June 26, 2023
What I’m reading: I envy anyone who has not read the Patrick O’Brian series of seafaring novels centered on 19th-century British Navy Captain Jack Aubrey and his surgeon companion, Stephen Maturin. I say “envy,” because I devoured them years ago and while a second reading will be satisfying, it can’t have the thrill and delight […]
Read More »Pop Picks – June 1, 2023
Posted on June 1, 2023
What I’m reading: Ways of Being, by James Bridle, is one of those books that has me walking through the world in a new way. As we talk about artificial intelligence, Bridle is reframing my sense of intelligence in profound ways. Just note the subtitle: Animals, Plants, Machines: The Search for Planetary Intelligence. Mind-blowing and I find […]
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Celebrating the Work of the Heart
Posted on May 31, 2023
This spring, Southern New Hampshire University proudly welcomed nearly 17,000 graduates to the SNHU alumni community. We marked this incredible achievement through a combination of in-person and virtual commencement ceremonies. With four memorable in-person events held over a single weekend and a subsequent virtual ceremony for those unable to attend in New Hampshire, we took great […]
Read More »“How was Antarctica?”
Posted on January 20, 2023
Lots of people are asking about my recent 15-day trip to Antarctica, and the answer is “Amazing!” In short order: One of the best trips I’ve ever done, exceeding my expectations. The animals are abundant and incredible: penguins, whales, seals, a variety of birds. The landscapes are majestic, the weather capricious. It was a rollicking […]
Read More »Pop Picks – December 26, 2022
Posted on December 26, 2022
What I’m watching: Be warned, if you start watching the Irish dark comedy Bad Sisters, you’re likely to just stay on the couch binge watching all ten episodes of what was the best series on television in 2022. A murder mystery with one of the worst villains/victims in recent history (not a plot spoiler, as you know […]
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