Gratitude for a semester of accomplishments and hopeful days ahead

Despite difficult challenges, the Skidmore College community has come together this semester to maintain a safe campus, allowing the College to successfully offer 12 weeks of fulfilling in-person instruction and move forward with major initiatives for Skidmore's future.  

Speaking in a video message, President Marc C. Conner thanked members of the Skidmore community for embracing strict safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted progress on important initiatives, ranging from continuing work on its Racial Justice Initiative to the opening of the first phase of the Center for Integrated Sciences. 

“This is a unique time in our history, but this moment also demonstrates the enduring strength of our community,” Conner said in the video.  

Despite an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases across the country and an uptick in campus cases toward the end of the semester, the president described Skidmore’s relatively lower number of cases throughout the term as a “testament to the care and diligence of our entire community.”  

President Conner also stressed that Skidmore must continue its ongoing efforts to strengthen and build an even stronger and more inclusive campus community in the days ahead. 

“The lesson we’ve learned this semester is one of hope, and of what we can accomplish because of what we have already achieved,” Conner said. “There is much to be thankful for – for our accomplishments this semester and, more importantly, for the hopeful days that lie ahead.”