From the President: Welcome to Spring 2025, Owls!

January 22, 2025

Greetings, Owls, and welcome to Spring 2025 at Southern!   

I’m glad to see so many familiar faces back on campus alongside the newest members of our Owl family. The energy and excitement at the start of a new semester are unmistakable, and it’s inspiring to know our community is already hard at work. Some of our faculty and student scholars are returning from transformative study-abroad experiences. Others spent the break in winter classes, field placements, or internships, continuing their journeys of learning and growth. Whether you were going the extra mile or catching up on some much-needed R&R, we’re glad you are here! 

It's an exciting time to be at Southern. The Student Activities team has created a vibrant lineup of  79 Week of Welcome (WOW) events designed to help you connect with the Owl community, explore peer groups, learn about campus resources and have fun! I challenge each of you—student scholars, faculty, and staff alike—to attend at least three WOW events. Let’s show appreciation for this spirited and supportive community by coming together and kicking the semester off right. 

This spring is packed with exciting opportunities. On Jan. 29, the Long Wharf Theatre’s production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom will begin in the Lyman Center. On Thurs., Feb. 5, we’ll gather to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a keynote address from Dr. David W. Robinson-Morris. And let’s not forget to get out and support our winter athletes! Keep an eye on your campus email, follow Southern on social media and check the university calendar often for announcements about upcoming events.

Looking back on last fall, we celebrated the launch of three new academic programs: a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience, an M.S. in Occupational Therapy and an M.S. in Coastal Resilience. These programs reflect Southern’s commitment to innovation and meeting critical workforce needs, and they are open to scholars from various academic disciplines. I encourage you to speak with your advisors to learn more about these offerings and the many other opportunities and resources available at Southern – including new, extended evening hours at the COMPASS Drop-in Childcare and Family Resource Center for our parenting scholars. 

Whether you’re joining us for the first time or continuing your Southern journey, you are part of a community that supports, challenges, and inspires one another. I look forward to seeing you on campus and celebrating this semester’s accomplishments.  

I wish you all an excellent start to the year, Owls! 

 Sincerely,

Dr. Dwayne Smith
Interim President