From the President: In Gratitude

November 20, 2023

During this week of Thanksgiving, as we prepare to gather with those we love and care about, there is no better time to pause and reflect on the many gifts that we have been afforded.  

In this spirit of gratitude, I want to give thanks to the faculty, staff, and scholars who make Southern a vibrant campus each and every day. I am grateful to be part of our diverse community this holiday season, and I encourage each of you to take good care of yourselves, reflect on your accomplishments, and be ready to close out the fall semester on a high note.

At this time, we should also take the opportunity to reach out with compassion to those who are less fortunate, those struggling with mental or physical health, those who are in emotional pain or living in fear. In a world that at times seems defined by conflict, we must also make every effort to approach this moment with humility, deep listening and reflection…creating a climate of belonging so that all members of our Southern and extended communities feel welcomed, valued and secure.

I wish you a safe, happy, and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Dr. Dwayne Smith
Interim President