Dear Students and Colleagues –

There is a quote, attributed to British politician Walter Elliot, that goes “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”  I think that’s fitting for where we find ourselves this semester. We continue our shared work, managing challenges and setbacks one after the other.

Students, faculty, and staff have done a remarkable job, but it has not been easy. We adjusted the Fall semester calendar to limit days off, based on the best information we had at the time that decision needed to be made. I’ve heard your feedback on this semester, and have asked a team to assess the best way forward for the Spring semester. Based on that assessment, we will not make any changes to the Spring Semester 2021 as it is scheduled. If you take this as a positive announcement, then let’s call that a ‘short race we’ve won.’ Your stepping up and following the protocols we have in place this semester played an important part in reaching that decision. We may need to adjust those protocols based on circumstances in the Spring (if folks travel, etc.) but we’ll go with what we know: The Spring 2021 semester proceeds as scheduled—with spring break and Easter recess—and we will continue our practice of in-person classes with remote options for both students and faculty, based on their circumstance. College is hard (as it should be) and we all need breaks to keep us on a path to reach our goals.

Election is upon us. If you’ve been on campus you’ve perhaps noticed a steady stream of voters making their way to the Predolin Commons for early voting. That process ends Friday October 30. On Tuesday, November 3, the Oscar Rennebohm Library will serve as a polling place for Ward 65. I’d like to point out two resources if you have questions about registering to vote, and where to vote. First, myvote.wi.gov is an excellent way to check the status of your own voter registration. Next, our Office of Student Inclusion and Involvement has done an excellent job of sharing information and coordinating our community’s participation in this critical civic duty. If you have a question about registering to vote, how to vote, where to vote, etc., email osii@edgewood.edu and they will assist. It is NOT too late to register to vote and to cast a ballot. National Stress Awareness Day is in April, but I think we’re all experiencing plenty of it right now. There is a great deal of stress surrounding this general election – many are feeling it, and if you are you are not alone. I am aware that our ALANA and LGBTQ+ colleagues may be feeling the stress of the upcoming election particularly acutely. To you I say the Edgewood College community is stronger because you are part of it. We will stand with you and support you through this election. And we reaffirm our commitment to respectful dialog and disagreement across ideological divides. Those who cannot cast a vote can still participate in the dialog. Please get informed and make your voice heard.

I have served as President at Edgewood College for five months now. I have to admit it feels longer than that. But what gets me up every day – what inspires me to persevere – is you, our community. I am grateful for each of you. Let’s win the short races each day, and support each other. Wear your mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distance, and tighten your social circles.

Let’s keep it up, and let’s do it for each other.

Be well.

Cor ad cor loquitur.

-Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D.
President