On the Matter of Laura Alice Watt

Whereas Dr. Watt has served in numerous faculty governance positions, including Vice Chair of the Faculty, Chair of the Educational Policies Committee, Chair of the Graduate Studies Subcommittee, and on the many committees and subcommittees required by holding the offices of Vice Chair and Chair of the Faculty; and

Whereas Dr. Watt has worked tirelessly to emphasize campus resilience and adaptability in the face of these historically unprecedented and ongoing challenges; and

Whereas Dr. Watt has guided the campus through sometimes challenging though incredibly worthwhile campus changes, including reform of the General Education program and the ongoing planning for the renovation of Stevenson Hall; and

Whereas Dr. Watt has reminded us to see ourselves as working together to crew the Sonoma State sailboat and that when we have trust and confidence in each other the result is that the boat can go as fast and smooth as possible no matter what the conditions might be; and

Whereas Dr. Watt has emphasized the centrality of place in our experience at Sonoma State, and our ability to shape that place as the place shapes us, reminding us that the hills on campus were constructed from a pancake-flat seed farm and so preparing us to extend our sense of campus
“place” to Zoom classrooms and virtual faculty meetings;