KSC President Dr. Helen Giles-Gee

It is a special pleasure to welcome you to Keene State College in the heart of New Hampshire's Monadnock region. It is our honor to host the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. This year's theme speaks to our mission and reflects the significance of our work, "The Value of a Public Liberal Arts Education."

Since its founding in 1909, Keene State College has grown, matured, and undertaken new challenges in its evolution from normal school to teachers college to a liberal arts college serving the diverse needs of this state and region. Our academic programs have recently undergone significant, meaningful transformation with the inauguration of our Integrative Studies Program.

Keene State College is currently in the midst of its Centennial Celebration with a full schedule of campus, local, and state-wide events offering the opportunity for reflection and celebration of our past, present, and future. Our history will be portrayed pictorially in the Thorne Art Gallery, and a film documentary of the history of the College will premiere this summer.

We hope that you will take the opportunity to explore our award-winning campus, enjoy our chef's culinary treats, visit our vibrant downtown, which is directly adjacent to the College, and tour some of the cultural offerings in our community, such as the Historical Society, Horatio Colony House, Wyman Tavern Museum, and the Colonial Theatre while you attend this informative and inspiring COPLAC meeting. We look forward to seeing you at Keene State College in June!

Sincerely,

Helen F. Giles-Gee
President