Dr. Charles E. Patterson, the 18th President of Shippensburg University welcomed students back on Monday with an email sent to the campus community.
It reads as followed:
Good afternoon, students, faculty, and staff:
We made it through week one of the spring semester and I'm excited for what's ahead!
We will celebrate the 36th Annual March for Humanity tomorrow, January 30 at 3:30 p.m. I encourage you to join the Ship tradition of marching in unity to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and solidify our commitment to inclusivity and social belonging within our communities.
February also marks Black History Month and Be Kind Month, so be on the lookout for many programs related to each.
In the spring semester, many of you selflessly give your time to our Annual Children’s Fair. It is an event the community looks forward to each year, and I am inspired by the spirit of volunteerism our community displays in hosting the fair.
We will celebrate student research in April with our annual Minds@Work Conference. This event displays the academic excellence that is possible at Ship. The day showcases the hard work of students and the dedication of the expert faculty who support them in their research endeavors.
There are, of course, other valuable experiences to be had over the coming months, far too many to list in an e-mail. I hope you will explore those events, find the ones that speak to your purpose, and connect you to a community of support.
Before we know it, it will be time to celebrate our graduates and all that they have achieved at Ship. Commencement marks a new beginning for our graduates. To the class of 2024, soak in your final moments and continue to work hard until you cross that finish line. To those not yet graduating, look to our new graduates as inspiration. They were once where you are, and they are an example of what is possible.
To our dedicated faculty and staff, it is not lost on me that the spring semester is a notoriously fast and furious one. I thank you for your work in providing our students with the very best education and experience.
The promise of spring, warmer days, and Ship in full bloom is right around the corner. I will see you around campus and look forward to catching up with each of you.
Sincerely,
Charles
Charles E. Patterson, PhD
President, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania