We are just days away from an important moment on the calendar to gather, pause, reflect, and give thanks. This Thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful for the promise our future generations and those committed to investing in them for the common good, which I was reminded of at our recent Murdock College Science Research (MCSR) Conference.
At MCSR, we (with our co-host Whitman College) were thrilled to welcome more than 450 undergraduate students and faculty from 31 Pacific Northwest institutions to present and celebrate the leading-edge research they’ve been doing across our region. As our team listened to student presentations on re-seeding high-burn forest areas, finding earlier detection for diabetes, and using melatonin in a variety of treatments, we felt an overwhelming sense of promise. The future of science is in good hands if it is with students like these: passionate, supportive, curious, and dedicated to making our world better through science. They are in good hands with the mentors, coaches, and faculty who have spurred them on in their work.
As I look to the broader nonprofit community, I feel a similar sense of optimism and hope. Each day, organizational leaders, coaches, mentors, and informal allies invest in future generations. This work happens across a range of beliefs and opinions that come from people of varying backgrounds. It is held together by a common belief that future generations represent our shared commitment to leave the world better than we found it, a testament to our stewardship of resources, knowledge, and values. MCSR is a reflection of the important work happening across the nonprofit community and in our broader lives as this generation of leaders works with future generation of leaders in a partnership fueled by curiosity, innovation, and celebration for the common good.
As we gather with families, friends, and loved ones this Thanksgiving, I hope we are filled with gratitude that there are so many in our communities committed to this vision of human flourishing. May we increasingly be these people ourselves, and may we remember to say “thank you” to those who inspire us in this work.
Wishing you all a warm, multi-generational, and community-filled Thanksgiving full of gratitude and promise.