Dear James Madison University students and
families, I wish I could be in person with
all of you at this moment as we confront the
continuing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please know that you are all on my mind and
in my heart constantly during this extraordinary
time.
As the university copes with rapidly changing
guidance from government and public health
officials, we’ve sought to communicate with
you about essential information with regard
to disruptions and changes in university operations
as quickly as possible. We know that all of
you need to adjust your plans and lives accordingly.
I felt it was important during this time to
take a moment to speak with you directly,
and to express just how heartbroken I am that
we have had to continue with online and remote
learning through the end of the Spring Semester,
and to postpone Commencement.
Like so much that is happening around us now,
I recognize that this is very disappointing
news for students who had hopes of returning
to campus and regaining a sense of normalcy
in the coming weeks. Especially to you graduating
students who have been looking forward to
commencement ceremonies in early May, I am
so very sorry. Let me assure you, however,
that we are working hard to reschedule these
ceremonies so that we can celebrate your accomplishments
appropriately. Let me also promise that all
of us at JMU will continue to work tirelessly
during the rest of the semester—and beyond—to
maintain our sense of community during this
difficult period. Indeed, our human relationships
have never been more important, and as Dukes
we must do everything in our power to stay
connected. As this crisis has unfolded, our
decisions have been guided by two primary
principles: Protecting public health and safety;
and Maintaining academic progress. That’s
why we have not just simply closed as have
many institutions, businesses and other organizations.
It is through the dogged commitment to our
educational mission that faculty have ingeniously
converted university courses to remote delivery.
We all know that this is not a perfect solution.
The magic of Madison is that we cultivate
both the head and the heart through close
interactions and relationships between professors
and students, and now we must do our best
to maintain and strengthen those relationships
through very different means. You should expect
and deserve our deep commitment to assuring
your continued progress toward your degrees,
and that is absolutely our focus. I have been
amazed at how quickly and creatively your
professors and staff members at JMU have responded
to the urgent needs of this moment. As you
are able, please thank your professors and
other staff members at JMU who—while dealing
with the uncertainties of this crisis just
like all of us—have worked tirelessly to
continue delivering instruction by all means
possible. Finally, as Dukes you have always
inspired me with your ability to overcome
obstacles and to find ways to make a positive
mark on the world. This is our time to stand
together, and to support and lift up one another
with courage and compassion. Yes, this is
an unprecedented challenge for all of us—but
it’s also an opportunity for us to call
upon our best selves and to write an incredible
new chapter in the history of JMU together.
We’ll never forget this experience for the
rest of our lives. So let’s rise to the
occasion together. I wish you the very best
as you begin your courses remotely. We are
here for you and believe in you. Let’s take
care of ourselves, and of one another. I look
forward to seeing all of you sometime soon,
and we will continue to be in touch. Go Dukes.
