Dr. Susan Henking

Salem Academy and College announced earlier this week that current Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Dean of the College Susan Henking, Ph.D. will become Interim President when President Sandra Doran leaves at the end of the 2020 academic year. Professor of Religion, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Richard Vinson, Ph.D. will assume the role of Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

“We had to look no further than Salem’s campus to find a highly qualified Interim President in Susan Henking,” Salem Board of Trustees Chair McDara P. Folan, III said. “Susan cares deeply about Salem’s students and faculty and will be able to transition to Interim President with an uninterrupted flow of outstanding leadership for Salem Academy and College. The Board is equally thrilled that Richard Vinson will step up to fill the role currently held by Susan.”

Dr. Richard Vinson

“I look forward to serving this community—College and Academy—as we move toward our next 250 years,” Henking said. “In my time here, I have learned how special Salem is and how crucial it is to the Winston-Salem of tomorrow. I can imagine no better person to work with going forward than Richard Vinson.”

Read the story from the Winston-Salem Journal: Salem Academy and College names an interim president.

Read a letter from Mary (Morris) Rogers (shared with her permission), a member of the Class of 2002 (undergraduate) and a current graduate student, to Salem College containing her reflections on what Salem College has meant to her past, present, and future. 

The Salem College Annual Studio Art Senior Thesis Exhibition will go on! It has been a heartbreaking time for the graduating class of 2020 in Studio Art. Traditionally, at this time, their new body of artwork would be unveiled with much celebration in the galleries of the Elberson Fine Arts Center, which has been the practice for decades.

This Friday, May 15, 2020, our five graduating seniors will launch their Senior Thesis Exhibition online on the Elberson Fine Arts Facebook page (@salemfineartscenter) beginning at 5 p.m.

Please plan to celebrate with us and congratulate these wonderful artists for their hard work and perseverance through these difficult times.

Our Senior Studio Art graduates are:

Their official show title will be unveiled at the launch along with their thesis statements and works of art. In the meantime, mark your calendars for:

5@FIVE

May 15, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Rosa D. Otero
Art, Art History, and Design Department Chair

As COVID-19 continues to expose underlying systems of inequity, it can be hard to stand in spaces of joy and peace and remain connected to the realities of the world. While we know the coronavirus is impacting everyone, it is also true that some groups are being disproportionately impacted.

As you move forward this summer, here are some tips for helping to combat stigma and bias related to COVID-19.

1. Challenge yourself and others to learn the facts. During times of stress, we revert to “lizard brain.” Basically, our primal need to survive kicks in—and our brain tries to simplify everything so it can focus on threats (real and perceived). Intentionally work to dig beneath news reports. Why are there more vulnerable populations in some racial groups than others?
2. Amplify the voices of “others” when you can. Who does not have the platform, energy, or safety to speak? How can you engage social media influencers?
3. Correct myths and stereotypes. The more we learn and know, the more it is our responsibility to correct misinformation and encourage others to embrace and value all people. Teaching tolerance involves a four-step process for speaking up against bias. The steps are: interrupt, question, educate, and echo.

Lastly, if you are experiencing grief and anxiety related to the death of Ahmaud Arbery, please reach out to Robin Campbell, Director of Counseling Services at robin.campbell@salem.edu.

Best of luck to all as the semester wraps up—and, as always, if my office can be of assistance in any way—don’t hesitate to reach out (shawn.ricks@salem.edu)!

Be well,

Shawn Ricks
Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The sixth annual exhibition of Salem College faculty scholarly, professional, and creative accomplishments, presented by Gramley Library, is now online. Click Faculty Celebration of Scholarly, Professional, and Creative Accomplishments Exhibit and explore images, abstracts, and full text of faculty work. You can provide feedback and ask questions in the comments section.  This exhibit is hosted by the Office of the Dean of the College and Gramley Library.

Elizabeth Novicki
Director of Libraries