Dear New and Returning Colonels, 

I hope that this message finds you healthy and safe however and wherever you are spending your summer. Whether it’s taking classes, vacationing with family, working a job or internship or spending time with friends, I hope you feel renewed hope and enthusiasm as we head into the new academic year. 

As I wrote to the campus community earlier this summer, creating a safe environment required us to make tremendous sacrifices over the past year. As scientists and medical experts raced to deploy new and existing discoveries to introduce effective vaccines, we were required to significantly change the way we live, learn, work and interact with others. I am so happy that we are turning a corner. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is now readily available and, to date, more than 163 million Americans have opted to be fully vaccinated. Within our campus community, nearly 2,000 have followed suit. The vaccine has reintroduced a level of enjoyment and normalcy that we did not necessarily have a year ago. Businesses have reopened, concerts and events have resumed and most importantly, we can see our vaccinated family and friends without risk to others. 

At Wilkes, we are also planning a campus experience that feels much more traditional. Class sizes will be reinstated to pre-COVID levels, student-athletes will once again compete, music and theater students can perform to live audiences and a variety of events are being planned. At the heart of all of this is the idea of togetherness. After a time defined by social distance, I am looking forward to being together once again. 

We must be mindful that the pandemic has not ended. New variants have become increasingly worrisome, particularly for those who have yet to be vaccinated. Please, if you can be vaccinated, I urge you to do so. We have made so much progress since March 2020. Let’s continue to work together in support of each other and a shared normalcy. University officials will continue to monitor the virus and make changes to our health and safety protocols as warranted.

As many of you know, last year was my first as the president of Wilkes. On Friday, Oct. 1, Wilkes will host an official inauguration ceremony to mark this new chapter in University history. An inauguration is not a celebration of any one individual—it is a celebration of the history of our great institution, where we have been and where we are going. A week of campus events will mark this special time. I hope you will join us.

I also hope to see you during Welcome Weekend from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, at Family Day on Sept. 25, during Homecoming Weekend from Oct. 1 to 3 and in all the places and spaces that make Wilkes so special. Follow my adventures on and around campus on Instagram @drgregcant.

From my family to yours, I wish you the best. We cannot wait to see you and be together once again. 

Sincerely,

Greg Cant