Halfway Out of the Dark

There's a line from a Doctor Who Christmas special a decade ago that says, "On every world, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs as if to say well done. Well done, everyone. We're halfway out of the dark."

The sentiment feels especially appropriate for the current moment in time, but maybe without the hugging.

Not only are we nearing the point of the season where the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter but also the approval and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is finally here. For the first time in a while, the prospect of normally feels within reach, but we're still only halfway there. As the state set a new record yesterday for positive cases, it will take our collective resolve and commitment to each other's safety to better manage the pandemic in the challenging weeks ahead. But as we also reach the halfway point of the academic year, we should take a moment to celebrate. Today's Sentinel-Record highlights ASMSA's COVID-free semester. I encourage you to read and share the article at the link below. https://www.hotsr.com/news/2020/dec/18/asmsa-reports-no-covid-19-cases-during-semester/ I am generally amazed at what our colleagues and students can accomplish on ordinary days, so perhaps I was shortsighted in fearing we could not face the seemingly impossible. Your resilience and resolve have left me humbled and awed while providing daily sources of inspiration. Though some weeks were stressful for everyone, I consider myself fortunate to be a part of a community of learning and to find new facets of my love for this special place. Enjoy a well-deserved break. There is still much to do and accomplish. We're only halfway there. I'll see you in 2021.