President Wacker at the podium
President Robbyn Wacker presented her yearly address in a face covering to an in-person audience practicing physical distancing and to those watching via live stream from home.
In his welcome address, Provost Dan Gregory outlined why he is proud of St. Cloud State University and the work being done by students, faculty and staff. Student Government President Surkhel Yousafzai gave an address on behalf of the students.
Through the pandemic and the move to online learning, faculty and staff kept students at the center and made the transition from a bustling campus environment to providing remote learning for students in a wide variety of living and study conditions, Wacker said.
In spring semester, the university moved more than 2,000 classes and labs to alternative modes of delivery, answered more than 400 calls via the COVID-19 hotline and presented 17 Town Hall addresses for faculty, staff and students, among other feats.
“We are an extraordinary university that has always and will always be a place where academic excellence and student engagement are hallmarks. We never lose sight of the fact that students are the heartbeat of our campus,” Wacker said.
The work continued over the summer. While students attended Summer Sessions remotely, faculty and staff were busy planning and developing action plans for offices and departments to provide a clean and sanitized campus for students to return to in fall.
“I hope you do not underestimate the extent to which you have adapted and what you have accomplished – these past six months have been intellectually, emotionally, socially and financially challenging. I know you’re tired and weary,” Wacker said. “I want to acknowledge that and thank you for persevering and doing your best day after day on behalf of our university and students.”
At the same time the world received another shock wave from the death of George Floyd and the horrific reminder of the ongoing reality of racism and bias. Faculty already working on anti-racism pedagogy are continuing their work to dismantle systemic racism in all forms and are continuing their work in making it a campus effort to create a welcoming, nurturing environment to allow students to thrive.
“2020 is our year to act with on-going commitment to advance equality and social justice in all its forms,” Wacker said.
Part of that commitment is found in the continuation of the “It’s Time”. Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion is one of five key points of the plan, which includes expanding the area of recruiting focus, growing the university’s masters and doctoral offerings, and strengthening the university’s humanities, arts and social science programs for the 21st century.
This year St. Cloud State will pilot its Husky Advance and Husky Coaches programs, explore designing new centers, and offering new programs.
Wacker encouraged everyone to work together to ensure the success of these new initiatives and look to the future together.
“Now is the time to think beyond the current struggles and look ahead — to embrace the change and thrive in this incredible point in time,” she said. “… We are an extraordinary univeristy and you make it so. Thank you for all you do.”
