Dear Students and Colleagues –

On Monday this week, at a special session of Faculty Association, I announced our commitment to teaching and learning in classrooms, and in-person, when we return to campus next fall. We are taking steps now to make sure we can honor that commitment. Next week, the Fall 2021 Task Force will hold its first meeting.  That group is charged with returning Edgewood College to better (not “normal”), applying all the lessons we have learned, and continue to learn, through what we all hope and pray are the final months of this pandemic. We’ll continue to follow the direction of Public Health Madison & Dane County, as we have for much of the past year, and we can’t let our guard down. But, come fall, we will be on campus, and in-person.

Last week we saw some of the “why” we chose to pursue higher education at this place on the shore of Lake Wingra, and we see more this week, too. “The Theory of Relativity,” delivered via livestream, was outstanding, even viewed through a screen with a weak sound system at home. Next year, those students who performed will be back in the Diane Ballweg Theatre, with a live audience. “A Winter Wonderland,” might be back – and will join our traditional Winterfrost. Our first-year Men’s Volleyball team won its first match ever this week, and our Men’s Basketball team won Wednesday night in thrilling fashion with a buzzer-beater in the first round of the Conference Tournament. Our Women’s Basketball team – already co-conference conference champions – are set for their first tournament game even as I write this. I can’t wait to be able to experience all these things live again, and will certainly never again take in-person event attendance for granted.

Speaking of in-person live events, we continue to work on our plans for a live, safe, in-person commencement ceremony this spring. There are still logistical details to work out, but we are going to do everything we can to make that happen. Related to this, I encourage all students to check their email for a link to a survey about December commencement. We are considering the return of that tradition if there is sufficient student interest. So, please take a moment to share your opinion through the survey, the link to which will arrive in your inbox shortly.

Each of us has a story, and the common thread of all those individual stories is our shared community – engaging both in and out of the classroom, stage, art studio, concert venue, court, field, whatever – because we value the relationships that spring from our brand of teaching and learning; relationships that in many cases last lifetimes. So, let’s use our energy this semester to continue to shape a healthy and vibrant (and better) Edgewood College.

By this time next week, some of you may be traveling for spring break. If that’s the case, and you miss next week’s update, I’ll ask you now to be well and be safe. Wear your mask, and keep your circles tight.  

Cor ad cor loquitur.

-Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D.
President