What a year! On April 6, 2020, the college moved to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester because of the pandemic. We issued room and board refunds, postponed then canceled Commencement for the Class of 2020, and began planning to bring our community back together on campus for classes in the fall. Beginning in the summer, we reexamined our successes and began reckoning with real challenges in the area of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and we launched a new strategic vision process that remains ongoing.
Have we made everyone happy during this time? Have we done everything perfectly? No, but we — faculty, staff, trustees and supportive alumni — have kept our focus on students, health, safety and the college’s mission and core values. Our campus community has worked together to stay together, and we have developed additional reserves of resilience while honing our ability to innovate and adapt. It’s been a tough semester, but enrollment is thriving and the college remains strong.
Then, on Feb. 24, Jerry Richardson ’59 announced a $150 million gift to the college’s endowment. What a boost! There is much work to be done as we gradually integrate the proceeds from the fund into the operating budget over the next five years, but the impact will touch and strengthen Wofford in every way imaginable.
I invite you to read more about this incredible gift and the students, faculty and staff who are boldly leading our college toward a future that looks even brighter than ever before because of the lessons learned during the pandemic and Mr. Richardson’s generosity and loyalty to his alma mater.
It has truly been a remarkable year, and an incredible time to be a Terrier! We have much to look forward to!
Nayef H. Samhat
11TH PRESIDENT OF WOFFORD COLLEGE