Happy Lunar New Year—and a call for grace and compassion

Dear TWU Community,

I want to start by wishing you a happy Lunar New Year, celebrated by billions around the world, to welcome spring. The celebration comes at a time when many in the U.S. are experiencing a sea of uncertainty as the federal government transitions under a new administration. Amidst the media frenzy, it is helpful to look at the long arc of history and reflect on the renewing spirit of this holiday.

At the same time as we celebrate, some students, faculty, and staff in our community are experiencing anxiety. One student wrote to me saying:

“I cannot imagine what would happen if any of us were to come home to heartbreaking news. As I watch raids in areas/places that I’ve grown up in for the entirety of my life, I wonder: what will happen to me? What about my family?”

Such cries give me the resolve to keep championing what Texas Woman’s has represented for more than 123 years: a beacon of hope for so many seeking a better world through higher education. It is also a call for all of us to remember grace and compassion for one another.
While we do not have all the answers to the rapid-fire changes, we have governmental and legislative affairs associates and personnel in Austin and Washington, DC. They are conveying accurate and rapid information to my leadership team. My intention is to send further guidance in the next couple of days once we gain clarity.

In the meantime, we remain steadfast as the campus with a heart. We care about excellence. We take pride in our mission and the value we add to the state. And, we care about each other.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 9:10 AM, January 30, 2025