Good morning, everyone,
I had posted earlier this week (or was it last week?) about food on campus. So, I really should move off of the topic, but I had the best piece of chocolate cake last night on campus for dessert.
I know, I know....."how can you talk about dessert with the pandemic bending colleges to its merciless will across the country??" Well, we Monks can walk and chew gum at the same time, right? It's okay to linger over some great Pearson's food.
It had a melted chocolate-raspberry drizzle on top...because it's just you four, you wouldn't mind me admitting I could easily have eaten it again for breakfast. Add in a classic Saint Joe's sunset, and it was a great night. I hope you're able to eat dinner outside our cafe and have a similar sunset experience this year.
Every year we welcome a new class to campus (looking at you, '24) two other classes come to mind.....no matter the year.
This year, that's the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021. Last year's graduating class, and this year's Seniors. If I may, a brief note to 2020....hi, we haven't forgotten about you. As much as anyone, I was looking forward to having all of the "last's" with you - last Spring Fling, last classes, and Senior Week. Please know that as we enter a new academic year, you're not forgotten.
We will still welcome you back to campus together, with your families, as has always been our plan. You may be older, and wiser when we do it, but so will we. I do hope that whatever life has held for you since May has been healthy and decent to you.
To the Class of 2021, welcome to your senior year. Like the Class of 2020, who couldn't imagine their final months ending like it did, I'm sure you didn't envision it starting off like this. But, here we are. Let's make the best out of it, even if the best looks a little different - ubiquitous masks, socially distanced, and the dry hands that are a hallmark of frequent hand washing and sanitizing.
While that will be a change, sure, I hope that the walks to the lake, (while you can, it was chilly this morning) the midnight conversations, the faculty advisor discussions, and the essence of your Saint Joe's experience won't feel that different. Both you and the Class of 2020 are unique, and will go down in the history books of this College as classes that persevered through the most tremendous global challenge we will face in a lifetime. I know it's hard to see that, but there's a legacy at work here.
To the Class of 2021, we're excited to have you back. Sunday, we begin in earnest, followed by the first day of class on Monday.
My best wishes to all of you. 5 days. Wow!
Matt
Matt Goodwin is the Dean of Students at Saint Joseph’s College.
Along with a team of Senior-loving Campus Life professionals in the areas of Student Engagement & Residential Living, Counseling Center, Health & Wellness Center, Campus Safety, and the Mercy Center, Campus Life supports students’ holistic personal development, learning, and empowerment in service to a global community.
