As the fall semester of my third full year as president of Scripps College concludes, I’m reflecting on the enormous honor of serving in this role. I have had the privilege to lead Scripps through transformative successes, including the Scripps Access Initiative, which now stands at $9.7 million in new scholarships; the opening of The Nucleus science center, culminating a years long collaboration between Scripps and Pitzer Colleges; and starting construction on the Centennial Plaza Project, which will define Scripps’ arts district and connect it to the historic center of campus. None of these triumphs would have materialized without you, our tight knit network of alums, families, and friends!
Last year, I was delighted to communicate the news of the $5.2 million gift from Carolyn Lake ’54 to support the Centennial Plaza Project. I am thrilled to announce that the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation has generously pledged an additional $10 million toward the project! This benevolent gift will support the adaptive reuse of the East 10th Street building and Scripps’ highly anticipated, state-of-the-art Carolyn Lake Dance Center, named in her honor. I look forward to providing details about the plaza’s celebratory groundbreaking ceremony in early 2026.
We are also months away from officially launching Scripps’ Centennial Celebration! The first 100 years represent a milestone in the life of the College, and many members of the Scripps community have been diligently preparing events, exhibitions, performances, and presentations to celebrate our enduring impact. Be sure to join us on campus for our first Centennial Celebration event, held during Reunion Weekend 2026, to help us honor the world’s most decorated gymnast in history Simone Biles as our fourth recipient of the Ellen Browning Scripps Medal! For more details, visit scrippscollege.edu/centennial.
The College’s mission to educate women to lead lives of leadership, service, integrity, and creativity remains intact and strong. I find daily inspiration in our shared fortitude and commitment to preserve all that Scripps has accomplished over the last century, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
With deep gratitude for your ongoing support,
Amy Marcus-Newhall
President of Scripps College