President Kyle Farmbry used Guilford College’s 2022 Convocation to welcome the Class of 2026 to their new home for the next four years and then asked them to consider what they want that home to look like for future Guilfordians.

Speaking in full regalia at Dana Auditorium on Tuesday, Kyle reminded students, faculty, and staff that the College was embarking on a new strategic planning process called Envisioning Guilford College 2027 and needed their input.

“This year is going to be very much about setting our eyes on the type of place we want to be, and building it,” he said. “We need all of you to be involved in the process — students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Guilford. We need this plan to reflect our common vision for where we are taking this institution as we move into our next stages of development. Most importantly, as we complete our plan, we want you to be involved with its implementation.”

Kyle said the strategic-planning process is well underway — more than 650 people have already participated and 40 sessions have been held — but more input is needed.

He said the planning process is exploring ways Guilford can be more engaged beyond the campus. 

“Later this semester, we will be announcing our anchor institution framework, which recognizes that we are a college in and more importantly of Greensboro. As such, Greensboro’s celebrations should be our celebrations and Greensboro’s challenges should be our challenges. When we see local issues around health, educational, and housing inequalities, we need to find ways that we can partner with our local institutions and citizens to ensure the well-being of our city.”

Kyle also asked the Guilford community to leverage “our diversity as an example for the nation.”

“Guilford, like many other colleges and universities, is becoming far more diverse as an institution,” he said. “One of our goals for this year is to identify long-term strategies for leveraging that diversity for the true benefit of Guilfordians past, present, and future as well as for the broader society. As our nation sadly continues to wrestle with rising incidents of intolerance, we need to recognize our continued importance in holding deeply the notion of seeing the Light in everyone, and doing everything that we possibly can to support each of our roles as vessels for the common good.”

Provost Maria Rosales urged students to watch after and support one another over the next four years. And just as important, Maria told students to take care of themselves.

“Treat yourself well,” she said. “If you are a good friend to other people, be a good friend to yourself, too. It is easy to feel like life begins on the other side of the goal in front of you. You might think life begins after college, or after graduate school, or after you get through this intensely busy time. But you are living, right now ... your life right now is as valuable as your life will be when you are older. So don’t wait to live.Find your joys, and value your life, right now.

“And have a great year.” 

The Convocation audience of students, faculty, and staff also heard inspirational remarks from Toiya Hancock ’93, President of Black Alumni of Guilford College, and Student Body President Tinyah Ervin ’23. Classical guitarists Noah Dabney ’23 and Dana Bederson ’23 performed during the program.

To learn more about Guilford College, schedule your personalized visit to campus or contact the Office of Admission at 336.316.2100 or admission@guilford.edu.