This week, President Carter addressed the Ship community during the annual campus-wide meeting where she reflected on the challenges faced and overcome by the campus community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and applauded the many accomplishments of staff and faculty.
President Carter continued her tradition of announcing the Presidential Medal recipient, by this year honoring the facilities team, noting “they worked tirelessly to ensure that buildings are sanitized and safety measures were in place for our return. Our facilities staff has been on the ground the entire time. They are our essential workers. Their extraordinary service to the university should be celebrated by us all.”
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tom Ormond presented the Provost’s Award for Extraordinary Service to Dr. Jennifer Pyles, Teacher Education, and introduced new faculty members: Ms. Gretchen Leitner, Human Communication Studies; Mr. Shishir Shakya, Economics; Ms. Sandra Lewis and Dr. Alison Mellott, Teacher Education; and LTC Michael Firmin and Maj Jolene Ayres, Military Science/ROTC. Provost Ormond also welcomed two new members to Academic Affairs: Senior Associate Provost and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Sue Mukherjee; and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies Dr. Stephanie Jirard, who takes on the position in addition to her role as Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator.
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Scott Barton welcomed new staff members: Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, Dr. Peter Gitau; Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Christopher Clarke; and Director for the Raiders Academic Center, Chartice Wyatt-Thermil.
Watch the event video | Read the event transcript
Presenters also included APSCUF President Dr. Kara Laskowski; SCUPA President Ms. Lori Smith; and AFSCME Representative Ms. Stephanie Jones, who offered comments and commendations.
President Carter also committed to “hold more Town Hall discussions on anti-racism, and have more Courageous Conversations,” and added that “at the request of students, I will establish a President’s Anti-racism Student Advisory Council. This fall will feature a university-wide Diversity Week, and Drs. Jamon Campbell, Ali Dagnes and Stephanie Jirard, along with Diane Jefferson will spend the fall creating the Shippensburg University Anti-racism Institute which will provide our students with the opportunity to develop skills in advocacy, educate about the rich history of African-Americans and participate in research. An alumni donor provided foundational support for the institute and work continues to secure additional funding.
President Carter concluded the meeting with an inspirational thought from Maya Angelou, “good done anywhere is good done everywhere,” before wishing attendees a safe and successful year.
Watch the full recording or read the transcript of the event.
