Dear EDST Members:
Thank you to all EDST Members and Guests who took part in launching the EDST Students’ Den and celebrating Prof. Pierre Walter’s retirement yesterday, Thursday, September 21st, 2023, on the 3rd floor in PCN, ahead of our first meeting for the year.
The space where these two moments were celebrated mark new beginnings and convivial traditions in EDST. Coming together to mark significant moments offers an opportunity to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate contributions to departmental life, culture, and the fostering of spaces – physical and relational – for everyone to be and thrive in.
Thank you to all students, faculty, administrative staff, and Associate Dean Nancy Perry, who attended the event, for the good spirit, conviviality and community they brought together in marking significant these moments in EDST.
Particular recognition goes to EDST’s GAA Team – Elaine Teng, Eva Crowson, Jafar Iqbal, Silas Krabbe, and their GAA predecessors – for taking part in the initiative to create a dedicated student space. At the event, thank you to Jafar Iqbal and Silas Krabbe for their inviting and engaging words at the launching. Their words emphasized the importance of a solidary and welcoming student culture and departmental conviviality.
We seize this celebration to extend EDST’s best wishes to Prof. Pierre Walter, on the occasion of his retirement, and impress on him that EDST remains a home that recognizes and values his longstanding contributions and legacies in EDST.
Special thank yous are due to:
- Holly-Kate Collinson-Shield, EDST’s Administrative Manager, for her inspiring and unwavering support to the idea of a student den, the facilitation of the design and the ordering of the furniture and equipment.
- Jenifer D’souza, EDST’s Assistant to the Head, for her dedication, commitment, and impeccable organizational skills in making this event possible throughout its stages, including the setting up of the space, the ordering of the fabulous lunch, and the setting up of the launching platform and curtains.
- Himadri Udahage Dona, EDST’s Administrative Assistant, for her continued dedication and support throughout the project and on the day of the launching/celebration in setting the space and the lunch.
- Carl Luk, EDST’s Web & Communication Coordinator, for the outstanding design of the EDST’s 30th Anniversary retractable panel and the bookmark and for ensuring the photographic documentation of the event.
Yesterday, EDST launched an additional student initiative with the creation of an EDST Doctoral Colloquium, at the instigation of PhD student Yotam Ronen, and about which a separate message will be released.
Hopefully, plans to launch EDST’s Course Resource Room, just next to EDST’s Students’ Den towards the end of Term W1 will bring us again together to mark an additional significant moment as we build a solidary and convivial home.
Wishing Everyone a great and inspiring year 2023-2024.
André
