So, I say “thank you” to all of you for working hard, staying flexible, and being smart about navigating our way through this pandemic. Even as it appears we are holding our own in terms of limiting the spread of COVID in our community, the storm is raging in our state, which had its deadliest day to date this week, and hospitals in some areas are being pushed to capacity as healthcare professionals struggle to keep up. Let’s all resolve to continue to be smart.

The two-week suspension of all team activities and the ‘shelter-in-place’ protocol for our student-athletes ends Saturday. Those students may resume in-person classes and activities, and some will get started with official practices on Sunday. I hope we all appreciate the steps these students have taken for the benefit of this entire community. No one signed up for life during a pandemic, and our student-athletes have all made a sacrifice for this community by giving up what counts as ‘normal’ when we experienced a spike in positive cases. I am especially grateful to those teams who went through the added inconveniences of sheltering-in-place even though no one on their team turned out to be positive for COVID-19. This is a sacrifice that shows their commitment to the community. We also recognize all students, faculty, and staff who have reached out either to the Dean of Students Office, or to our Human Resources area, to report awareness of possible exposure.  These are not easy days, and for some among us who have been in quarantine or isolation (I did it myself back in March) they’ve been especially challenging. Thank you for taking these steps to help limit possible spread of this virus.

Some among us said – either in jest or not – Edgewood College ‘wouldn’t make it past September.’ You probably don’t recall, but on August 19, the first day of classes, I said to our community “believe it or not, there are people who want us to fail, who can’t wait to say, ‘See? I told you those students couldn’t be trusted to come back safely.’ I believe those people are wrong. Let’s show them we can do this.” 

Well, October is here, and you’re doing it. 

Let’s keep it up - wear your mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distancing at all times, and tighten your social circles. This goes for on-campus and off-campus. We are doing well navigating these days and weeks – let’s do it for each other.

Be well.

Cor ad cor loquitur.

-Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D.
President