Faculty and Staff,

First I want to say I hope all of you are healthy and well. As we near the one-year anniversary of the arrival of COVID-19 into our lives, we must celebrate our health and well-being, while honoring those we’ve lost along the way.

Still, how do we describe what we’ve all been through in the past year? I know I won’t be able to accurately do so, but I can say that right now it feels as though we have reached a significant benchmark, a turning point.

I have to say — maybe it’s this anniversary, maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the positive news I’ve heard from our clinics and from others across the state — but I can feel an optimism, an excitement here at our University.

For the first time in a long while, I believe there is a very real reason to feel good about where we are in this fight. And once again, I thank all of those involved in the process. It is because of people like you — the health care workers and the volunteers and the patients who have decided to take this vaccine — that we can feel this sense of hope. It is because of people like you that we can once again plan for in-person classes and commencement ceremonies.

It's because of people like you that we can give out our 100,000th vaccine.

This is truly a time to be thankful. And, as I have said before, I feel the best way to celebrate these times is to give back.

Today, I encourage all of you to use this optimism and pay it forward — and there are several ways we can do so.

• Right now, there are schools in Eastern Kentucky that are struggling with terrible flooding. The schools need supplies — starting with pens, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, notebooks, folders and notecards — and some of our students are collecting items and delivering them this weekend. There is a container placed in the PT lab for people to drop off their donations.
• Consider donating to the Big Blue Pantry Gift Fund that supports the student-run and student-serving Big Blue Pantry for students who experience food insecurity. Help us end hunger on campus because no student should ever have to choose between their education and their next meal.
• And, you can continue to volunteer at our COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Students are also welcome.

This is a special time in our College, our University, and in our state. And it is special because of people like you.

Once again, I say thank you. Stay healthy and well.

Best,

Scott