Dear Friends, As you likely already know, despite our efforts Olivet Nazarene University marched in celebration of Donald Trump's inauguration last Friday. While this outcome may seem like a failure, I believe that together we achieved an even greater victory by sparking a necessary conversation about the core identity and values of Olivet Nazarene University and the Church of the Nazarene denomination. So many students, alumni, and ministers reached out to express gratitude for your support. Although many feel unheard and dismissed by leadership, they also feel encouraged and resolved because you are listening to them and advocating for them. Many have contacted me to ask, "What's next?" Certainly, the fight for a more inclusive, more diverse, and more responsive Olivet must continue. And, while I hope to be one voice in that conversation, I believe we need a multitude of diverse voices to move forward. On a practical level, the change.org platform centralizes communication, requiring everything to go through one person. So, in an effort to democratize this group, I'm encouraging you, if you'd like to continue engaging related issues, to join a facebook group: Concerned Olivetians (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1830950730264156/), where we can communicate and organize much more organically. "Who", you might be asking, "should or can join this group?" As we witnessed many voices marginalized through this effort, it's my hope that we will embrace a wide and inclusive understanding of who belongs within the Olivet community. Perhaps you're an alumnus, staff member, or current student. Perhaps you transferred from Olivet and graduated elsewhere. Perhaps you never attended Olivet, but have a family member or friend who did. Perhaps you live in the Bourbonnais area. Or, perhaps you identify as Nazarene or you're just someone who cares about the direction of Christian higher education. To all of you, I say "you are welcome, and your voice is valued." Thank you for standing up for your values. Keep up the good work.