We are in the home stretch! The first day of classes and Opening Convocation (virtual this year) will take place on Wednesday, August 26. We can’t wait for the start of the 2020–2021 school year!
One of my favorite Salem memories involves two students, both now alumna. One was standing on the sidewalk between the Fine Arts Center (FAC) and the back of Home Moravian Church, overcome with anxiety about life, literally spinning in circles, weeping. The second student was coming out of the FAC as I was walking towards Main Hall from the FAC parking lot. We both went up to the weeping student to try to help. I think I asked a few questions, but the second student hugged the weeping one and said, “Dean Vinson, I got this.”
This will be a hard semester, as you know very well, coming on the heels of a spring full of upheavals and a summer full of isolation. You will be challenged by your curriculum as well as the atypical teaching and learning methods, and many of you will have work and family responsibilities to juggle. Please don’t think you have to do it alone: there are staff and faculty and fellow students who will help you if you ask. Please don’t think that because it’s hard, you don’t belong here: you most assuredly do. A liberal arts college is all about learning all sorts of ways of analysis and problem-solving.
It will be a challenge, but you can do it.
You got this.
Richard Vinson
Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
We hope that you received the recent email from Interim President Susan Henking on two important events taking place in addition to Convocation on Wednesday, August 26. To recap: Opening Convocation will be held on Wednesday, August 26 at 8:00 p.m. and will be available on the Salem Academy and College websites as well as on social media @SalemAcademy and @SalemCollege. In addition, we are excited to partner with the Women Take the Stage live concert and celebration of the formal adoption of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which took place on August 26, 1920. As a pioneer in the education and empowerment of women and girls, Salem Academy and College is eager to commemorate this important date in American history. The national Women Take the Stage event begins at 9 p.m. on August 26 and can be viewed on their website. Salem will have a pre-event, entitled Salem Sets the Stage, at 8:30 p.m., during which Salem community members will share music, history, and reflections on the importance of the vote and women’s education. This event will be available on the Salem Academy and College websites as well as on social media @SalemAcademy and @SalemCollege.
We will also have watch parties for all three events. Stay tuned for more information about how you can join the watch parties.
First day of Online New Student Orientation: August 24
First Day of Classes: Wednesday, August 26
Opening Convocation: Wednesday, August 26 at 8 p.m.
Salem Sets the Stage: Wednesday, August 26 at 8:30 p.m.
Women Take the Stage: Wednesday, August 26 at 9:00 p.m.
