Easter Message from President McCulloh to Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Good morning, colleagues. In the Christian tradition, the conclusion of Lent and the observation of Easter ordinarily brings joy and celebration. And though the novel coronavirus has made for a very different Spring than in other years, there is much to be grateful for even in the midst of the unlooked-for challenges this situation created for us. Perhaps most of all, I am so grateful for how we, as a community, have come together to support one another and our students.

The reality that people are suffering may feel much closer to all of us this year, and may even be actively present in your own life. I believe that these Holy Days provide us with the opportunity to acknowledge that, even as pain and suffering are a part of our existence, we are also challenged to consider how to discover and manifest signs of hope, inspiration, and joy – for others, and even for ourselves. At times such as these, even as we all experience frustration and distress, I also have seen many signs of increased support, kindness, and generosity within this community.

This Spring, the pandemic has forced us to do many things that we otherwise would never choose to do. The way we work, shop, dine, connect, travel, worship, even seek medical assistance – all these and so many more have been up-ended and we have been compelled to adjust while simultaneously tending to the needs of our children, our partners or spouses, aged parents, our friends, colleagues and students. Surely this has been a humbling time that has shown us where both our strengths, and our weaknesses, are.

We all know that there are many challenges that lie before us; even as the virus itself courses through our world and eventually subsides, the impact of it and our responses to it will remain and we will feel its effects. The way you, and we, have worked hard to sustain this mission during this challenging time has been inspiring, and I want you to know that it is this commitment that assures me we will succeed in our efforts to make it through this difficult period. As we pause this weekend, I am filled with gratitude for each of you. I am thankful for the families and friends who support and love our institution, our alumni, and our many benefactors. I pray that the coming Easter weekend will be a time of renewal for us all and will be filled with joy for you and yours.

Our Vice President for Mission, Michelle Wheatley, shared the following video with some colleagues earlier this week, and I thought you too might appreciate its message. Please stay safe, be well, and may the Peace of Christ be with you always. Happy Easter!