Welcome back to campus!  I am privileged to serve as your president for the 2020-2021 academic year. On behalf of the leadership team, I want to welcome all of our new first-year and transfer students as well as all of our returning students to what promises to be a year like no other.

When our current students left campus last spring, I know everyone was hopeful for a return after Easter break. Of course, events did not turn out that way. For fall, we are returning early with many other changes in place to help us manage the pandemic.

First, on our minds this fall is our commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and local community members. And, second, is our commitment to provide the best possible educational experiences for our students.  How that will work may vary over time and depend upon the prevailing circumstances as the semester unfolds.  Regardless, we are dedicated to providing our students the engaging and meaningful Cougar experience that they have come to expect while, simultaneously, acknowledging that this will be a fall semester unlike any other.

We all need to be in this situation together with a shared sense of community and care. I am asking all of you to remember the 3 Ws.  (1) Wear your mask.  (2) Wash your hands. And (3) Watch your social distancing. Do not go to class or come to campus if you are ill. Read over and understand all the instructions in our COUGARCARE documents www.misericordia.edu/coronavirus. By working as a community with shared care and concern for each other’s wellbeing, we can do our best to keep COVID-19 at bay and preserve a modified, but still special, Misericordia experience.

I look forward to seeing you on campus. Go Cougars! #MUCougarStrong