Celebrating 30 Years of the European Graduate School
“Thirty years of creativity, collaboration, and transformation”
This summer, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the European Graduate School. Once again, students and faculty from across the globe gathered beneath the White Mountain, where the air is thin, crisp, and alive with possibility. The car-free village of Saas-Fee, nestled just below the tree line, was filled with familiar faces, new voices, and the spirit of community that defines EGS.
Towering above us, the snow-capped Alps stretched skyward like spears of light, gathering clouds by day and scattering starlight by night. When I first arrived at Saas-Fee, I missed the horizon of my California coast. Now, after nearly three decades, I welcome the protective embrace of these mountains. Under their watchful presence, the dark skies and the sweeping arc of the Milky Way remind us of the vastness of creation—and of our place within it.
The anniversary was a joyful occasion, filled with music, dance, and celebration. I had the honor of teaching a Presence and Process class, along with the second-year doctoral seminar, where students shared and shaped their summer projects. The energy was both festive and deeply reflective—a reminder of why we return year after year: to learn, to create, and to belong.
On a personal note, I have been part of EGS for 28 of its 30 years—first as a student, and now as a full professor. EGS has profoundly shaped my life, and I have witnessed it transform the lives of countless others. My colleagues are extraordinary teachers, researchers, and artists, and I feel privileged to share this journey with them. Together, we continue to nurture a community where art, scholarship, and imagination flourish, inspiring new generations of students and shaping the future of our field.
Here’s to the next 30 years of creativity, collaboration, and transformation at EGS!
