Faculty, Staff and Students,

Greetings again. As always, I hope you are all doing well.

We are in a special time of the semester, not only because we are finding our rhythms and routines as we enter the third month of the academic calendar. But we also find ourselves in the midst of a few, very unique, days of celebration.

For instance, today is Bi-Visibility Day, an annual holiday observed to recognize and celebrate bisexual people, the bisexual community, and the history of bisexuality. And this day just happens to fall in the middle of the 30-day period that we refer to as Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Coincidentally, the month of September has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as National Recovery Month since 1989, and we acknowledged that as well. And from Sept. 25-27, we will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, as well as Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, on Oct. 4-5.

As we continue to strive to be more inclusive in our College, I commend those working in our Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the ways in which they have made us aware of these important dates. From the signage throughout our halls to the presentations that have been organized (just this week, alumnus Matt Brown shared his story of addiction and recovery) it is important that we remember to highlight these moments.

In the coming days you will see stories and hear about another presentation — this one for Hispanic Heritage Month — a celebration that will highlight the history of the month, as well as its culture in America and beyond. There will be food, a documentary and a discussion.

All of this is yet another reason I am proud to work here, and it makes me say again, without hesitation, that there is no other place on campus where I would want to be.

Once again, stay safe and well,

Scott