Greetings!
How wonderful to see another academic year begin to unfold around us, especially after nearly 18 months of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am cautiously optimistic that the 2021-2022 academic year will bring back some of what we have missed in recent months: students, faculty and staff on campus; get-togethers; and celebrations.
And we have a lot to celebrate on the East Liverpool and Salem campuses!
Fall homecomings have become an American tradition on high school and college campuses, creating opportunities for the past to blend into the present. That is exactly what we are planning on each of the Columbiana County campuses in September: Homecoming Celebrations!
In this newsletter, you can more read about the activities being planned on each of our campuses and I sincerely hope you can join us at one – or both – of these events. The dates:
Monday, Sept. 27 on the Kent State Salem Campus
Thursday, Sept. 30 on the Kent State East Liverpool Campus
On the Salem Campus, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of our classroom building on St. Route 45, as well as the 10th anniversary of the opening of the James and Coralie Centofanti Hall. These are two milestones that certainly need to be recognized!
On the East Liverpool Campus, we will honor our 2020 and 2021 Wall of Fame honorees; pay tribute to a beloved faculty member who passed away too soon; and remember the days when our students celebrated with So Happy It’s Thursday dances.
We hope to see some of our 2020 graduates whose commencement ceremonies were canceled because of the pandemic. Those who return to either campus will each receive a diploma cover and get the chance to “turn the tassel” on a graduation cap. Although not an “official” ceremony, we will have time set aside to recognize these individuals.
We invite you to visit the campuses and walk the halls – see what has changed, what remains the same and how the future is reflected in our students’ faces. You can visit labs and classrooms, visit faculty and check out new technology.
On each campus, evening receptions will be held before specific recognition programs intended to pay tribute and extend thanks to the many community members who support our campuses in financial and professional ways. There will be refreshments, music and friends!
Admittedly, the COVID virus forces us to remain cautious in our planning and to be prepared for changing course – even at the last minute. It is my strongest wish that we can proceed with our plans and host these two important events on our campuses; however, we may be forced to cancel or adjust our plans.
For now, I will keep my eyes on the prize and prepare to celebrate our return to campus. These campuses are “home” to thousands of alums, faculty members, employees and current students. Each campus is special to its own community. Each campus offers something unique to our students. Each campus is special.
Together, however, these campuses change lives. These campuses open doors of opportunity. These campuses make a difference.
I can’t wait to greet you and welcome you HOME!
Sincerely,
David Dees, Ph.D.
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer
Kent State University at East Liverpool and Salem
