Half a face is better than no face...

 

Happy new semester one and all!

Whether you are brand new, returning, or returning after a time away, welcome!  I am so excited to be back in my office, hearing the chatter of voices in the hallway.  They may be muffled by masks, but they are there.  The halls and classrooms across campus have life and energy again and that feels amazing.  We aren’t out of the woods yet, of course.  We have some work to do to ensure the health of everyone around us, but we are making strides towards a world with less COVID in it.  And that’s not a bad thing.

It’s been an interesting ride, hasn’t it?  Strides are being made, but we have also seen politics and fear get in the way of the greater good.  It’s troubling to see, but I hope you know that SUNY and FLCC and Honors are doing what we can to bring folks back and to keep them healthy while here.  So, keep your mask on, keep your distance when you can and when you smile?  Well, make sure it reaches your eyes – that way we can all see it even with the mask on!

And maybe you aren't on campus much and are taking online classes or remote ones or hyflex ones.  It doesn't really matter what format your classes take.  What matters is that you are here and that you are ready to learn.  It's the start of a new semester - we are still in summer weather, but we know those chill days are coming.  We know some of what lies ahead, but there is always the unknown, too.  Find excitement in these early days of the semester.  Think about all the friends and acquaintances you will make, the things you will learn, the strides you will make towards reaching your goals.  We are glad you are here...in whatever form that 'here' takes.

I wish you all the very best in the days and months ahead.  We have a small number of Honors classes this semester – in English, science, and sociology.  We hope to have more in the future, but we have struggled in the pandemic, like everyone else.  That Honors feeling is hard to capture when we cannot share the same space.  We did a good job with what we had, but being in the same space for as long as we can will make a huge difference and I am so glad you're going to be a part of it.

So, stay healthy, get good sleep and good nutrition, stay tuned for Honors events you can attend in person or virtually, and, of course, STAY CURIOUS!

Best,

-T