A Video Message from President Jane Fernandes
An Introduction to the President’s Initiative
Antioch College Launches President’s Initiative Campaign
Transformational Program Seeks to Provide Educational Opportunities for All Students, Secure Future of Historic and Influential Institution
Yellow Springs, Ohio 1-16-23 — Today, as the world celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Antioch College community carries the spirit of Coretta Scott King, class of 1951, and her work with Dr. King to achieve the beloved community they knew was possible. Dr. Jane Fernandes, Antioch College President, is launching the President’s Initiative, with the goal of raising $5M by June 30, 2023.
The President’s Initiative celebrates and secures the College’s storied past, challenging present, and rich, bright future.
Dr. Fernandes, the second woman president of Antioch College, has served in her role since August 2021. She brings with her a career in higher education dedicated to making educational excellence accessible to all students and welcoming a fantastic range of human diversity to campus. “At a time when our world faces climate disasters, racial injustice, attacks on LGBTQ+ people, and economic uncertainty, liberal arts education is critical to securing a future for everyone. Antioch prepares and empowers our students to lead us into that future,” stated Dr. Fernandes. Through her leadership, Antioch College continues to provide the classroom, co-op, and community experiences that provides students with a unique and powerful Antioch education.
Antioch is facing the same challenges as every other mission-driven liberal arts college. Young people today are demanding a world where college doesn’t burden them with massive debt, where campus creates a sense of belonging, and where knowledge and skills are applicable to their lived experience. Dr. Fernandes added, “Young people want and need a place where racial, climate, and economic justice are possible. Antioch excels at equipping students to understand complexity through interdisciplinary lenses and learning in action so they can think independently and get to new answers and real solutions. The world needs this.”
Antioch College would not exist without the passion and generosity of alumni and other individual champions. Herculean efforts made over many decades have enabled the existence of an independent Antioch College that is not reliant on income from tuition. Antioch is meeting the moment, through a strategic plan for sustainability, the strength of an interdisciplinary curriculum, and through serving the immediate community with the newly reopened wellness center and micro-farm.
The College is actively diversifying revenue streams, deepening its core mission, transforming college operations, and developing a new business model that is not dependent on tuition.
In September 2022, the College set a goal of raising $2.5M dollars by December 31, 2022. The goal was achieved. Now Antioch looks to the future. With support from the Board of Trustees, students, staff, and faculty Antioch College launches the President’s Initiative with the goal of raising $5M by June 30, 2023.
President Fernandes, along with her husband Jim, are donating $25,000 to the President’s Initiative as a sign of their deep commitment to Antioch College’s mission and future. All those who wish to make a gift, please use the form below.