At the close of what would, in many cases, be the end of one’s term as Senate President, two years in, I feel privileged to be able to write everyone and share a few short reflections about GCC in these outrageous times. It would be hard to argue that the Senate, as well as the esprit de corps of faculty overall, isn’t facing narratives of dramatic change.
I would first like to appreciate our outgoing President, Dr. David Viar, who has very stably, creatively, and insightfully led our college for nine years. It is remarkable how many times the renewed beauty and pristine condition of our school is brought up in conversation, and Dr. Viar has dedicatedly overseen its continuous upgrade, at the same time stopping every day to pick up bits of trash that should’ve made it into the trash cans. I’ve enjoyed and learned from our conversations over these past two years, both within and outside of our official roles. Among my favorite moments are, as you might expect, the funny ones, which were never in short supply – even as the world turned upside-down, as it remains. I will not forget how positively your work has impacted our mission as a college, David!
And now to send a warm welcome to our incoming President, Dr. Ryan Cornner, who has already begun to join the college community, attending Board meetings, various college events like our recent faculty gathering, and warmly reaching out to as many of us as he can about upcoming issues. I am proud to have been a part of the process that brought Dr. Cornner to GCC and grateful for the sense of optimism I feel among my colleagues that our college has chosen for itself another legacy CEO. We look forward to working with you, Ryan!
As we adjust to transition in administrative leadership, I believe we can look forward to a future, not so far off, in which coronavirus has become fully endemic and freed us from its mega-surges. In this same future, GCC’s enrollment has begun to increase and the physical campus again is abuzz with human activity. Equilibration between our distance education and in person programming has been achieved and is old news, and quality instruction abounds. And the legislature tires of these laws that shave all the glistening, beautiful (metaphorical) body hair off of community colleges.😉😂 I hope all of this happens before I am done as Senate President, so I might say I presided over – more to the point, witnessed – the bringing of a more settled feeling for our community.
I have no doubt that, as we move undeterred toward the future I envision, Senate and faculty conversations will continue to vibrate elegantly and respectfully, as we keep the interests of the community we serve at heart. With best wishes for a summer recharge!
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