Today marks the final day of the spring quarter, and in the coming days and weeks, our faculty, staff and students will begin a well-deserved slide into summer, hopefully having an opportunity to recharge after an academic year like none other.
As a longtime professor and now chancellor, I can say that the end of every year is a little bittersweet, with a mix of gratitude, relief, and optimism, as another class of students heads out into the world. This year is especially so. The 2020-21 academic year has been extraordinarily challenging. Together we have navigated unprecedented disruption. But I am also exceedingly proud of the resilience and strength our community has displayed, and the many achievements we have seen despite the significant obstacles. Congratulations to this year’s graduating class, and to all of our students. Your determination, perseverance and pursuit of excellence make us all proud to be Banana Slugs.
I am also filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary spirit of this campus community. Every day I feel lucky to work alongside talented and passionate faculty and staff who obviously care deeply about this university, its students, and our mission. Thank you for all of your efforts this year. They are deeply appreciated.
As more and more people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, and as our state, nation and world inch out of our pandemic-forced hibernation, this moment also feels like a time of new beginnings. We have shown ourselves to be exceedingly adaptable and creative, and I believe that this resourcefulness will serve as a strong foundation for UC Santa Cruz in the days and years to come.
I am optimistic about our future. Our voices — those of our students and faculty — are pushing societal and intellectual boundaries as we work to create a more just, equitable world. The promise of tomorrow is truly driving our best work. UCSC is proving to be where real change starts, and I could not be more proud. Fiat Slug!
