December 10, 2021 - A message from Chancellor Sobolik to faculty and staff
Dear Colleagues,
As I wrote to our students a short while ago to offer congratulations and encouragement on the end of their semester and – for some – the end of their academic journey with us at UMSL, I said:
You have done something extraordinary during extraordinary times. It’s more than impressive; it’s inspiring.
Of course, no sooner had I expressed this thought than I found myself wanting to share the same sentiment with each of you.
All that we have lived and worked through together in these recent, remarkable months (in many ways still ongoing, I might add) is, indeed, nothing short of extraordinary. I need you to know – and be reminded regularly – that I see you. I see the dedication you bring, the passion you won’t let be defeated, and the extra miles you regularly cross on behalf of our students and larger community every single day. I remain in awe of you, humbled by you and so very proud to work beside you.
I say all this knowing that emails get lost in the shuffle, that congratulatory notes can be easy to skim and set aside, especially when we’re weary and so very ready for a well-deserved break. But still, I hope the following few simple words find you at the end of this semester and lift you up, if only for a moment:
Thank you. Everything you are doing and have done during these very difficult times matters. It is all seen. It is all appreciated. Most importantly, it has been more than enough, even when you may have felt otherwise.
Please know that I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work and learn with and from. I hope the end of each of your individual semesters is peaceful. I hope your holidays are full of comfort and joy. I hope any time away you have is restorative. I hope your loved ones are well. I hope you are well. And I look forward to continuing our work together in the spring.
Gratefully forward,
Kristin Sobolik