As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday next week, it seems appropriate to offer my own thanks and launch a new program. First, thanks to Rodney Bailey—for the idea of connecting this program to the Thanksgiving holiday and urging me to write this short piece. Many are deserving of thanks—family, colleagues, friends—and I do appreciate you all. I’m also grateful for

The opportunity to share my passion for literature in an Explore Seminar on Black women writers

Department heads who advocate for their programs and people and meet deadlines (for the most part)

Cute, creative, interesting masks

SAH staff who keep our departments running smoothly 

Students who contribute meaningful comments in class discussions

Funny social media posts

Faculty who have expended so much time and energy to pivot as necessary—teaching hybrid, meeting in classrooms, learning new technology, translating courses into new formats, being flexible and sympathetic with students

Advisors being available in many places at many times—again, that flexibility

Beautiful mountain scenery

Administrators who respond to our requests, support faculty, and help us navigate issues

Forgiveness for lapses in judgment and forgotten appointments or deadlines during a “Covid fog”

Kristi Smith for all of her work to prevent the forgetfulness mentioned above

A safe, healthy work environment and attention to changes in guidelines as the pandemic evolves

The friendliest campus in the South with the BEST marching band!

Many in our School and across campus are deserving of appreciation. To help give voice to that gratitude, we are launching the SAH Faculty and Staff Thank You Program—a process by which anyone may request a thank you from the SAH dean to an SAH faculty or staff member. We will soon have the link below on a special page on our School’s website.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

SAH Faculty and Staff Thank You Program