Dear Faculty and Staff,
In this especially busy and full stretch on campus in the classroom and beyond – holiday traditions, end-of-semester projects, and now the final push through exam week (and the joys of grading) – I write to convey good wishes and a bit of happy news.
First, a reminder that this coming Friday is the culmination of our holiday celebrations on campus. I hope to see many of you at the Holiday Luncheon in the Lee Grand Dining Hall at 11:30 a.m. Then, from 4:30-6 p.m., faculty and staff, along with family, are invited to Longwood House for the annual Holiday Open House. Marlo and I hope to see you there, too.
As for the news, last spring I announced the appointment of double Lancer alumnus Cameron Patterson ’10 as Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. Since taking office in July, Cam has fulfilled every hope and expectation the Board and I had for him. He is fair, empathetic, calm, joyful, hard-working, a good communicator with students and colleagues, and a deeply devoted caretaker of Longwood’s traditions and spirit. It is a generational moment when the distinctive connectedness, community and support of Longwood’s proud Student Affairs tradition matter more than perhaps ever before. And it is clear that this spirit is in the best of all possible hands. I believe it is time that we move forward to confirm that.
So, with the strong endorsement of the Board of Visitors at our meeting last week, I’m proud to share I am today appointing Cam as Vice President for Student Affairs – interim no more. This is happy news for a great Lancer who loves this place dearly, is already excelling in his new role and is poised to grow even further over the years to come. I’m also pleased to share he will continue in his role with the Moton Museum.
Thank you again for all your hard work, and I hope you find time this holiday season to refresh and recharge.
TR