Letter from the Interim President

The pandemic so dominated the last months of the 2019-2020 academic year that it can be hard to remember how much we accomplished before it arrived.

Our faculty helped discover a fossil of 3.8 million-year-old human ancestor. They applied technology to break longtime barriers to human connection. And they advanced care for aging adults across the country.

As we look with hope toward widespread COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021, this annual report reminds us of what we can do when public health restrictions no longer dominate daily life. But it also highlights the many ways this community demonstrated creativity, commitment and exceptional compassion in the face of this crisis.

From the rapid shift to remote learning to volunteer efforts for health care workers, the homeless and one another, our faculty, staff and students adapted, innovated, and always sought to help. Their ongoing generosity continued to inspire — and even more, made a meaningful difference during such difficult times.

As you read the stories that follow, you will find consistent themes. No matter the obstacles, our people managed to overcome them. And, more often than not, that progress demanded that we draw on one another for ideas, strength and support.

In short, we were Advancing Together this year — which is when we are always at our best.

With great appreciation,

Scott Cowen
Interim President