Thank you for your leadership

David J. Skorton, 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Secretary-elect David Skorton and his wife, Robin Davisson, greet Marie Dieng at the Smithsonian’s staff picnic on June 30, 2015. Skorton begins his tenure as 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian July 1. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Al Horvath, left, and Secretary Skorton stroll through the Folklife Festival on their way to the picnic. (Photo by John Gibbons)

From left, Al Horvath, Secretary Skorton, Robin Davisson, Charlie Weber and unidentified staff wave at photographers as they stand in place to recreate the Smithsonian sunburst on the National Mall. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Robin Davisson and David Skorton chat with Marty Arthur, an occupational health nurse with the Office of Safety Health and Environmental Managment. Arthur is also co-chair of the SHAPE committee. (Photo by Johnny Gibbons)

David Skorton and Robin Davisson examine some of the creative cakes submitted for the Food Fight contest as Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture looks on. (Photo by John Gibbons)

David Skorton and Robn Davisson greet Marie Dieng, an associate buyer with Smithsonian Enterprises. (Photo by John Gibbons)

David Skorton and Robin Davisson listen intently as Joshua Bell, an anthropologist with the National Museum of Natural History, describes his research into the global implications of people’s relationships with cell phones and other devices. (Photo by John Gibbons)

David Skorton introduces himself to Diana Baird N’Diaye and Meredith Holmgren. (Photo by John Gibbons)

David Skorton and Robin Davisson chat with William Bennett, a conservation specialist with Smithsonian Institution Archives. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Dr. Skorton will perform with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Oct. 17.

Dr. Wayne Clough, 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian, listens to remarks at the installation of Dr. David Skorton as 13th Secretary, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Staff and invited guests filled the historic Arts and Industries Building for the installation of Dr. David Skorton as 13th Secretary, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo By Joyce Boghosian)

Staff and invited guests filled the historic Arts and Industries Building for the installation of Dr. David Skorton as 13th Secretary, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo By Joyce Boghosian)

From left, Shirley Ann Jackson, vice chair of the Board of Regents; Chief Justice of the United States and Smithsonian Chancellor John G. Roberts; Dr. David J. Skorton, 13th Secretaru of the Smithsonian, John W. McCarter, chair of the Board of Regents; Regent David M. Rubenstein; and Dr. G. Wayne Clough, 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian. (Photo by Joyce Boghasian)

A reception followed the installation of Dr. David Skorton as 13th Secretary in the rotunda of the historic Arts and Industries building. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Dr. David Skorton, flanked by son Josh Skorton and wife Dr. Robin Davisson greets Wynton Marsalis. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Dr. David Skorton receives the ceremonial key to the Smithsonian from Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Staff had the opportunity to meet (and take a selfie with) Dr. Skorton at a reception following his installation as 13th Smithsonian Secretary Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

From left, Shirley Ann Jackson, vice chair of the Smithsonian Board of Regents; Chief Justice of the United States and Smithsonian Chancellor John G. Roberts; David J Skorton, 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; John W. McCarter, Jr., chair of the Smithsonian Board of Regents; and David M. Rubenstein, Smithsonian Board of Regents at the installation of the 13th Secretary Oct. 19. 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Acclaimed composer and musician Wynton Marsalis played a Selmer trumpet made for jazz legend Louis Armstrong during a performance with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra at the installation of David J. Skorton as 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Acclaimed composer and musician Wynton Marsalis played a Selmer trumpet made for jazz legend Louis Armstrong during a performance with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra at the installation of David J. Skorton as 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Oct. 19, 2015. (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Secretary Skorton helps a young visitor and her family plan their Smithsonian visit during a stint working at the Castle’s information desk. (Photo by David Haddock)

Gen. Jack Daley, director of the National Air and Space Museum, and Secretary Skorton answer assist visitors at NASM’s information desk. (Photo by David Haddock)

From left, Lisa Barrett, director of development, STRI; Assistant Secretary for Education and Access Claudine Brown; Sharon Ryan, public programs director, STRI; and Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton at the 2015 Education Awards.

Dr. Robin Davisson and Secretary David Skorton, along with other members of the U.S. Cultural Delegation to Cuba visit the El Instituto Superior de Artes. (Photo by Jocelyn Augustino / National Endowment of the Arts)

Members of the U.S. Cultural Delegation to Cuba visit El Instituto Superior de Artes. (Photo by Jocelyn Augustino / National Endowment of the Arts)

The Smithsonian has a long history of scholarly exchange and collaboration with Cuba. Secretary Skorton, along with other members of the U.S. Cultural Delegation, met with members of the Ministerio de Cultura to discuss the potential for further Cuban-U.S. engagement. (Photo by Jocelyn Augustino / National Endowment for the Arts)

Secretary Skorton enjoys some face time with Kermit the Frog. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Secretary Skorton addresses the crowd at the SI GLOBE mixer held June 17, 2016. (Photo by Max Kibblewhite)

Secretary Skorton presented Gen. Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum, with this T-shirt in honor of NASM’s 40th anniversary and upcoming revitalization. (Photo by Mark Avino)

Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton joins a group of interns from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden for a group photo at the 2016 Staff Picnic. From left, Madeline Feller, Samuel Shapiro, Morgan Brittain, Dr. Skorton, Gabrielle Hick and Lingfei Ren. (Photo by Jacob Kim)

David Skorton, the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian, sits outside the Smithsonian Castle last year in Washington. (Kate Patterson for The Wahsington Post)

Achievement Award: From left, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton; Kimberly Arcand, Visualization Lead, Chandra X-ray Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; Acting Assistant Secretary of Education and Access Patricia Bartlett; and Roger Brissenden, deputy director, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and manager of the Chandra X-ray Center,, SAO. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Innovation Award recipients, the Friends of the National Zoo Department of Visitor Education. The team is led by Laura Klopfer, Senior Manager Visitor Education and Volunteers. She shares the award with Bob Cmarik, Nick Davis, Lucila Fernandez, Suzanne Hough, Erika Novak, Lois Phoebus, Rebecca Sohmer, Kirstin Schoeninger, and Caroline Winslow. In photograph, pictured from left, top row: Lucila Fernandez, Laura Klopfer, Erika Novak, Bob Cmarik, Kirstin Schoeninger, Suzanne Hough, and Rebecca Sohmer. Bottom row: Dennis Kelly (Director, National Zoological Park), Lois Phoebus, Jackie Vinick, Caroline Winslow, Lynn Mento (Executive Director, Friends of the National Zoo, National Zoological Park), and Secretary David Skorton.

Secretary David Skorton and Diana Baird N’Diaye with her work, “These Clothes Have Done Their Duty.”
“My work as a Folklife curator and cultural heritage specialist is a source of constant inspiration and opportunities for learning as an artist. During more than two decades working on the Folklife Festival and with my colleagues at several other Smithsonian units and museums, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with master artists and thinkers whose work and whose expressive traditions I’ve admired and studied. “
(Photo by Michael Barnes)

The excavation and expansion of the Panama Canal has revealed a wealth of fossil evidence about the creation of the Isthmus of Panama and the biodiversity of its species. Dr David Skorton, Smithsonian Secretary displays a fossil he excavated on a recent trip to Panama. (Photo by John Gibbons)

The Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Panama has been the subject of continuous study for 80 years. Dr. David Skorton, Smithsonian Secretary, and his wife, Dr. Robin Davisson, visited Barro Colorado on a recent trip to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Dr. Skorton testifying before Congress during the annual Appropriations subcommittee hearing. (Image via WNBC-4)

From left, volunteer panel discussion participants Dave Norman, Nancy LeBaron, David Trumble, David Skorton, Julia McCrossin and Valerie Virta at the 2017 Volunteer Open House. (Photo courtesy Office of Visitor Services)

Smithsonian Call Center volunteer Julia McCrossin interviews Secretary Skorton May 17. (Photo courtesy Office of Visitor Services)

Smithsonian Call Center volunteer Julia McCrossin interviews Secretary Skorton.

Secretary David Skorton takes a selfie with (from left) Valeruie Virta, David Trumble, Dave Norman and Nancy LeBaron.

Smithsonian staff shared their immigrant experiences with Dr. Skorton in a panel discussion for the Torch.  Back row, from left: Hans Sues, Jelena Fay-Lukic, Ed Tang, Ching-Hsien Wang, Pierre Commozoli, David Skorton. Front row, from left: Zeynep Simavi, Siddiki Gassama, Tracey Fraser, Marie Dieng, Magdalena Mieri. (Photo by John Gibbons)

Health Museum president and CEO Melanie Johnson celebrates the museum’s Smithsonian affiliation with Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton.

David Skorton, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, warms up on his flute before joining a rehearsal with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2015. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

Logan Belitzsky is an enthusiastic assistant as Secretary Skorton leads his SEEC class in a rousing rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” (Photo by Hugh Talman, September 2017)

From left, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton, Robin L. Davisson, Trudie Styler, J. Ralph, Sting, John Troutman, Diane and John Foley, and Amanda Moniz, the American History Museum’s David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy at a donation ceremony at the National Museum of America History. (Photo by John Barrat, September 2017)

David Skorton, Kirk Johnson, Doris Matsui and David Rubinstein discuss the Smithsonian’s future at the Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C. as part of “The Long Conversation.” (Smithsonian.com, December 2017)

From left, National Museum of Natural History Director Kirk Johnson, Smithsonian Regent David Rubenstein, Smithsonnian Regent Doris Matsui and Secretary David Skorton (back to camera) discuss Smithsonian 2022 at a special event, “The Short Conversation,” Dec. 1, 2017 at the Arts and Industries Building.

From left, artist Kehinde Wiley, artist Amy Sherald, National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama at the National Portrait Gallery Feb. 12.
Photo © Chuck Kennedy

Dr. Skorton provides a glimpse into his office with a selfie of his own. (March 2018)

David Skorton views the photographs on display in “A Unique Lens: Photographs from the Smithsonian Family.” (Photo by Michael Barnes, March 2018)

Dr. Skorton introduces himself to Pepper the Robot, an interactive guide to museum programs and exhibtions. (April, 2018)

Local participants in the November 2017 SSYAC meeting gathered on the roof of the American Indian Museum for a photo op. Standing, from left, Dr. Robin Davisson, Machel Monenerkit (NMAI), Sophia Sadikman, Yingzhi Dai, Calia Christie, Anmol Kahlon, Cleo Caldwell, Jillian Perry, Janae Charles, Laura Espinoza, Trenni Jefferson, and Keira DiGaetano. Kneeling, from left, Elisee Djapa, Luke Courtney, Secretary David Skorton, Michael Pankowski, Joshua Chang, [not pictured Cordell Pugh] (Photo by Katherine Fogden)

Secretary Skorton and staff at the OEEMA/Supplier Diversity Program meeting March 16, 2018. Back row, from left: Rudy Watley, David Skorton, Curtis Sanchez, Richard Hicks. Front row, from left: Tina Jones, Natascha Syre, Amma Tabirih, Era Marshall, Thomas Dempsey, Jeremy Rausch. (Photo by Michael Barnes, March 2018)

Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton chats with Thomas Dempsey, director of the Office of Contracting and Personal Porperty Management, at the OEEMA/Supplier Diversity Program meeting March 16, 2018. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Secretary David Skorton (left) and Eric Hollinger of the Natural History Museum listen as Julia Schnetzer from the Germaine Marine Research Consortium describes the Ocean Plastics Lab exhibition on the National Mall June 14. (Photo by Sarah Sulick)

Secretary Skorton (far left) performed on flute with the James Zimmerman Quintet, featuring (from left) Nasar Abaday (drums), Benjamin Sands (saxophone), (unidentified sound technican), James Zimmerman, Michael Bowie (bass) and  Wayne Wilentz (keyboards).

Dr. Skorton accepts a Patachitra painted scroll from Mamoni Chitrakar and Ananya Bhattacharya. (Photo courtesy Betty Belanus)

At the Nov. 13, 2018 launch event for the American Women’s History Initiative, , Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton and CNN anchor and journalist Brooke Baldwin discussed the importance of elevating women’s voices in politics, news media and museums. “It’s on us to make sure this is not just a moment, it’s a movement,” said Baldwin. Photo by Ronda Ann Gregorio.

From left, Ellen Stofan, director of the National Air and Space Museum; Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton; Deputy Under Secretary Scott Miller; and Smithsonian American Art Museum director Stephanie Stebich discuss different issues and concerns about collections at the Smithsonian. Photo by Michael Barnes)

Secretary David Skorton and awardee ELizabeth Dale-Deines at the 2018 Education Awards. (Photo by Michael Barnes

The Smithsonian Science for Global Goals team, from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, with the 2018 Innovation Award. Top row, left to right: Amy D’Amico, Katherine Blanchard, Ashley Deese, Carol O’Donnell, Hannah Osborn, Jean Flanagan, and Francine Baker. Bottom row: Secretary David Skorton, Heidi Gibson, Katya Vines, Inola Walston, Brian Mandell, Andre Radloff, and Eric Nastasi. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Members of the panel discussion on diversity at the 2019 LIMA conference. From left, Smithsonian Institution Secretary David Skorton; Roberto Tejada, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor at the University of Houston; India Pinkney, the General Counsel of the National Endowment for the Arts; and National Museum of African Art Director Gus Casely-Hayford. (Photo by Fairleigh Earhart)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr Skorton and Robert Spiller, Assistant Secretary for Advancement.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Fleur Paysour, public affairs specialist at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and friend. Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs, and Patrica Bartlett, Associate Provost for Education and Access with Dr. Skorton.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr Skorton and Karen Garrett, senior program officer, office of the Associate Provost for Education and Access.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton and Myriam Springuel, director, Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Services and Smithsonian Affiliates.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr Skorton and Patricia Bartlett, Associate Provost for Education and Access; Senior Advisor to the Secretary.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton and Stephanie Stebich, director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton and Curator Emeritus John Edward Hasse, former director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton and Era Marshall, director of the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long) [3T8A8376] [NASM2019-02776]

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr Skorton accepts an award from Era Marshall, director of the office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long) [3T8A8319] [NASM2019-02756]

Secretary David Skorton and Secretary-elect Lonnie Bunch.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Shown here with 14th Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch III, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

From left, Robin Davisson; Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton; Kirk Johnson, director of the National Museum of Natural History; Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs; and John Davis, Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton with Program Specialist Emma Cowan-Young and Beth Ziebarth, director of the Smithsonian Accessibility Program. Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Secretary-elect Lonnie Bunch and Robert Gaskill, of the National Museum of American History.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton and Philip LoPiccolo, Office of Government Relations.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. David J. Skorton and Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Shown here with 14th Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch III, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Dr. Skorton accepts the Smithsonian flag from Jeanne O’Toole, director of the office of Protection Services.
Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)

Farewell party for Dr. David J. Skorton,13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Party was held on the west side of the Arts and Industries Building, Washington, DC (Smithsonian Photo by Eric Long)