Although I already expressed it earlier this month, there’s only one way I can start this message: Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Welcome to our family of alumni!
None of us foresaw a virtual celebration, but I was proud that our team’s creativity and expertise could help honor our students’ incredibly important and special achievement. One of the more beloved senior traditions is a tour of Rush Rhees Library’s tower, which we preserved by creating a virtual tour, including a "360°" experience. We also created a website so that seniors at the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences could once again participate in Senior Design Day. The Hajim School’s annual exhibition features 80 projects representing 9 programs, 292 students, and 18 faculty advisors. I would also like to call attention to some of the virtual-based efforts that helped our students get to this point: our furry "stressless" event and the myriad videos that assisted students and faculty in gaining access to resources and services.
Reflecting on the semester has been dizzying. So much has changed or stopped entirely since September. Despite the topsy-turvy world in which we now live, there are still blessings to be found everywhere around us. The small acts of kindness, finding support during a vulnerable moment, and overcoming a shared challenge are a few examples of the kinds of moments that have warmed my heart and kept me going during this crisis. And witnessing the compassion, creativity, courage, and commitment of our team has been an inspiration.
If you find yourself struggling, I encourage you to look for the blessings. We will get through this, and on the other side, we will be healthier, stronger, and more resilient. As we head into the summer months, I wish you strength, joy, and comforts, small and large.
Mary Ann Mavrinac
Vice Provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean
University of Rochester Libraries
