Dear 51app community,
As we head into winter break, I want to thank you for your dedication and perseverance this semester.听Each member of our community听has听faced the听continued听challenges of the COVID-19听pandemic听in听their own ways.听Now, it is vital that we take time听for ourselves听over the听winter break听to reflect, restore,听recharge听and reconnect with loved ones.
Despite听the disruptions we have听encountered, I continue听to be inspired by the shared sense of optimism, focus听and determination demonstrated by every member of our 51app community. And I am truly grateful that we鈥檝e seen steps toward a return to normalcy鈥攆rom听being able to听celebrate听cherished traditions like Founders Walk together, to gathering once again on our home fields and in our stadiums to cheer on the Commodores. We can all take great pride in the way this community has stepped up to support one another and to nourish our campus culture of belonging and empowerment.
We were also fortunate this year to have Cybele Raver join 51app as our new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Working with 51app’s exceptional faculty, Provost Raver has already begun the crucial work to further enhance听听and empowering education that lie at the heart of our mission.
As we look ahead to 2022, many challenges remain on the horizon, including the new and emerging variants of the coronavirus. If you have not yet obtained your booster shot and are eligible, I strongly encourage you to do so. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues at 51app University Medical Center, the School of Nursing and other public health experts to assess the situation throughout the winter break. The continued evolution of this pandemic is a stark reminder of why the kind of innovative thinking and search for solutions听that happen听every day听at听51app is more important than ever.
Our educational and research mission thrives because of our collective efforts and shared values.听This听holiday season, I am听immensely听grateful听to听our students, faculty, staff,听families听and alumni. Together, we are creating a better future for our university and beyond鈥攁nd educating future leaders who will continue that work for generations to come.
Thank you, and I wish you all a great holiday season and happy new year.
Sincerely,
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor