Message of Appreciation from Provost Cyril Clarke and Faculty Senate President Eric Kaufman

Dear colleagues,

As we come to the end of the spring semester and the 2020-21 academic year, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation and admiration for the work accomplished by faculty and academic staff during this extraordinary time in the history of Virginia Tech. The success achieved throughout the year would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of faculty, graduate assistants, advisors, support staff, and program administrators, who have consistently gone above and beyond to help students achieve their academic goals, and support them during a challenging time in their lives.

The commitment to meeting our educational mission was greatly facilitated by partnerships developed between the Provost’s Office, Faculty Senate, Department Heads Council, Academic Affairs Council, and other constituent and leadership groups. In the face of many unknowns and unexpected situations, faculty willingly took the lead in developing new ways to interact with their students and went the extra mile to mentor those experiencing academic and personal difficulties. While our efforts were not without missteps and unexpected consequences, our focus was always on providing the best options and opportunities for Virginia Tech students to continue to thrive and progress in their studies. To that end, we met our goal.

We realize that the commitment to student learning, research, outreach, and impactful scholarship has been challenging for many members of our community, and that it has been tough balancing work and caregiving responsibilities without many of the in-person interactions that so enrich our lives. Thank you for persisting through such challenges and please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed.  As we move into the summer months and begin to prepare for the next academic year, we look forward to transitioning to an in-person fall semester and a restoration of those engaging experiences that make Virginia Tech a great land grant institution.

Looking forward, we anticipate that the experiences of the past year will help us identify new ways to engage students and enhance their opportunities for experiential and co-curricular learning. Together, we will continue to refine our processes and advance active learning strategies that provide students with the experience and sense of community they expect from Virginia Tech.

Thank you once again for all you have done for our students and campus community during the 2020-21 academic year. Please know you are a valued member of this community. We hope you will take some time this summer to gather safely with family and friends, and reflect with satisfaction on your achievements and service to our university.

Sincerely,

Cyril Clarke
Executive Vice President and Provost

Eric Kaufman
Faculty Senate President