Throughout the year, University Marketing and Communications captured moments on campus as DePaul transitioned to and continued with remote learning and work. View the gallery. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion and Randall Spriggs)
This month we reach an unwanted milestone. One year ago, with the goal of keeping the health and safety of our community a top priority, we quickly pivoted and moved classes and most university operations online.It was what we had to do to protect our community as medical professionals learned more about the coronavirus and civic authorities sought ways to stop its spread.
I write to express my gratitude for all you have done for DePaul to keep our community strong in a year that we have spent physically apart:
- to students who faced down challenges to continue their learning, remaining dedicated to a DePaul education and making the most of a situation not of their choosing;
- to faculty who adapted courses and supported students through many changes and hardships;
- to staff who kept the university running safely and effectively, finding creative ways to serve our community and
- to our alumni, friends, and donors who extended a helping hand when we needed it most.
After the pandemic's dark and months-long winter, a third federal economic aid package that cleared the Senate this week and the growing availability of three COVID-19 vaccines are hopeful signs our nation is on a road to recovery. The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan targeting low- and middle-income families for direct relief, as well as providing critical support for state and local governments. As of this week, more than 3.3 million vaccines have been administered in Illinois and the state average of almost 90,000 daily vaccinations continues to increase. I encourage each of you to get a vaccine when it is your turn.
This pandemic has caused immeasurable loss for our country and will be a defining event of this generation. Please be mindful of the burdens your fellow students and colleagues may be carrying—whether it's grief from the death of loved ones, stress from life changes brought on by the pandemic or the ugly specter of race-based violence against people of Asian descent. Please continue to treat each other with patience and kindness.
Tomorrow, March 11, the Division of Mission and Ministry invites the DePaul community to a special commemorative service as we reach the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online program, Remembering the Year Past: Transitioning to Hope, will be livestreamed on Youtube at 4 p.m. It will offer time to reflect on what the experiences of the past year have meant for us since DePaul went fully remote. I encourage students, faculty and staff to participate in this moment of reflection as we journey through the past year together and look forward toward hope for the future and the coming year.
With sacrifice, flexibility and resilience, we are persevering because you have been willing to take care DePaul. I trust as we move forward, through what we all pray will be the full return to campus this fall, we will continue to do just that.
We should take as a maxim never to be surprised at current difficulties, no more than at a passing breeze, because with a little patience we shall see them disappear. Time changes everything.
- Vincent de Paul (Volume: 3 | Page#: 382) To Louis Rivet, Superior, In Saintes, 15 November, 1648
View more moments on campus throughout year in Newsline's DePaul in the time of COVID-19 photo gallery.