Dear alumni and friends,
When I’m looking for a little inspiration or guidance, one of my tools is to find quotes from other leaders and social figures to help. One quote on my mind lately is from John F. Kennedy. He said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."
John F. Kennedy said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."
At the start of a new academic year that looks and feels like no other year in my lifetime, this quote seems more fitting than ever. We’re learning lessons from our past spring semester and we’re finding creative ways to take on the challenges this pandemic presents to our current learning environment. Most importantly, though, we have our eyes set on the future. Our goal remains to prepare our students for a world that is changing dramatically on a daily basis and a world that will need their leadership.
This fall we are offering primarily remote course delivery. In the cases where learning needs to happen in-person, we have developed plans that hold the safety of our students, faculty and staff in highest priority and minimize risk. This includes developing contingencies in case faculty or students become ill and protocols if there is exposure to COVID-19. We are also changing the way practitioners and alumni connect with our students which you can learn more about in the MN PACC story in this issue. I hope you’ll sign up to participate.
Speaking of change, The Record is going through its own metamorphosis. We heard you liked The Record but publishing it a few times a year limited us. We want the ability to connect with you more frequently, to offer more real-time ways for you to get connected with the college and to be more flexible in the ways we keep you up-to-date. The Record will now come to your email inboxes four times a year and there will be many other touch points in between. We’ll look for your feedback along the way and hope you find the information useful and enlightening.
I’ll close this quarter with a big thank you for your ongoing support of our students, faculty, staff and profession. I mean it most sincerely when I say, we couldn’t do what we do without you. Please stay safe, stay in touch and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.
With gratitude,
Lynda S. Welage, PharmD, FCCP
Dean