Holiday Message Year in Review 2020 Video Transcript
Video Description
Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D., President of Endicott College, offers his well wishes for a happy holiday season and healthy New Year and provides a look back at the 2020 calendar year for the College—a year where the entire College community showcased what it means to be adaptable, to persevere, and to be resilient.Text Transcript
0:00
(Gentle Music)
00:03
- It's hard to believe that I was inaugurated
00:05
as Endicott College's seventh president
00:08
just over a year ago.
00:10
When reflecting on the past year, two words come to mind,
00:14
perseverance and adaptability.
00:18
No one could have predicted that a global pandemic
00:21
would drastically shift the landscape of higher education
00:24
and change our entire way of life.
00:28
COVID-19 has tested our resiliency,
00:31
and I couldn't be prouder of how our community
00:34
has risen to the challenge, overcome obstacles
00:38
and embraced this new normal.
00:41
Before the pandemic, our Gulls were in the midst
00:44
of the spring semester, celebrating athletic wins
00:47
and academic achievements,
00:49
studying abroad and enjoying life at the Nest.
00:53
Coronavirus caused us to re-imagine that experience=
00:57
and shift to remote learning.
01:00
After months of diligent planning,
01:02
our students returned to campus this fall
01:05
and found an Endicott that, while certainly different,
01:09
is still the college they love.
01:12
Beyond the safe return, Endicott excelled in areas
01:16
of academic and extracurricular support this past year.
01:21
In June, we welcomed our new provost, Dr. Beth Schwartz,
01:26
who is driving academic innovation.
01:29
Several program offerings were unveiled,
01:32
including bachelor's and master's degrees
01:35
in healthcare management, multiple education certificates,
01:39
and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
01:42
Our renowned internship and co-op program continued
01:45
to flourish in a mostly virtual environment.
01:49
We have remained well ahead of schedule for the opening
01:53
of our newest academic building,
01:55
where classes will take place in the spring semester.
01:59
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task Force
02:02
launched a climate survey
02:04
that will help shape a more inclusive culture on campus.
02:09
Misselwood Events successfully re-imagined
02:12
it's Concours d'Elegance into four rallies.
02:16
And finally, numerous accolades
02:19
from U.S. News & World Report
02:22
and others tell the story of our college holding strong\
02:27
in a period of uncertainty.
02:29
(uplifting music)
02:50
Endicott has proven
02:51
that whatever challenges come our way,
02:54
together, we will persevere because that is what Gulls do.
02:59
No matter what your faith,
03:00
we must believe that there are brighter days ahead.
03:04
Believe that there will come a time
03:07
when we can hug one another,
03:09
believe that we can gather in large groups once again,
03:13
believe that life will be back to normal.
03:18
And I ask you to continue to believe in Endicott College.
03:23
I wish you a happy holiday season and a healthy new year.
03:27
Here's to a brighter 2021.
03:30
(gentle music)