Letter from Melik

Dear Unity College Community,

Yesterday, our nation voted after long, intense, and -- let's face it -- divisive months of campaigns, primaries, advertising, and debates. It was inevitable that whatever the results, approximately half of our country would wake up this morning disappointed or worse.

As America's Environmental College, we have a special responsibility and opportunity. As an academic institution, we have a responsibility to provide a safe and welcoming space for expressions of intellectual, political, identity, and philosophical difference. As Unity College we have a special opportunity to do so with grace. We have an opportunity to demonstrate that we consider our differences to be our strength. We are, after all, Unity.

No matter who you are, how you voted, and why you believe what you believe -- our community welcomes and values you. This election does not change us. Our shared responsibility is to provide a safe home for our students and a safe place to explore the issues that face us. We remain committed to inclusivity and diversity. Your teachers, your support staff, your deans and directors, your counselors and health providers, your RAs, your coaches, and your president want to know how we can support you in your ups and in your downs. We want to provide you a place to respectfully celebrate your wins and find your footing and your voice when times are challenging.

What this election has put before us is an opportunity to be a model community -- an opportunity to bridge the gap and find common ground with people who feel differently than we do. Some members of our community are hurting, or angry, or disappointed. Others are more sanguine this day. At America's Environmental College we learn together to listen respectfully and empathize with others. That is more important now than ever before.

Unity, let's agree to be kind to one another -- not just today, but every day. I am grateful for all the ways that you reach across to people you disagree with in order to reach common goals and do good work together. I see it every day and I am thankful for your generosity.

Our goodness is not measured in how we act when things are easy, when we all agree, when times are simple. The measure of our goodness as individuals and of our quality as a community is taken when things are difficult. Our goodness is measured when we disagree and when we are challenged to understand each other.

Today we have an opportunity to share our very best selves with one another.​ I am grateful everyday to be a part of this community -- a community that is full of many of the very best people I have ever known.

I know you Unity.

I know we will live up to our name. Today and everyday.

In Unity,

MPK
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
President
Unity College
Office: 207-509-7144

“Skill can be taught; loyalty can be garnered, confidence can be instilled; but attitude & integrity are inherent! So teach skill, garner loyalty; instill confidence; but never compromise on attitude & integrity.”

“Integrity, by its very existence, rekindles the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; as a cynical community is a corrupt community.” John  Gardner