Hello Raiders and Shippensburg Community,
What a privilege it is to be here among you now that I have officially docked in Shippensburg. If my first attempt at a nautical reference does not convey my enthusiasm, I am thrilled to become a Shippensburg Raider! I look forward to becoming acquainted with our entire community and to working alongside our colleagues, students, and dedicated university partners who share my passion for helping students reach their full potential.
I am deeply impressed with how the campus pulled together during the past year to ensure Ship students received the best possible learning experience during the pandemic, while also caring for the health and well-being of the entire extended community. I look forward to joining you as we bring back the full Ship experience for the upcoming academic year. We have so much to celebrate, including the university’s 150th anniversary that begins with the full return of our homecoming celebration.
For the next few weeks, I will be living among our students and have taken up Ship Res Hall living as I prepare for my family’s arrival. By mid-summer you will find us settled into the Martin House and ready to welcome everyone back to campus. I am especially honored for us to introduce our new students to this beautiful campus and an exciting new life as proud Ship students.
If you are on campus this summer, I am sure our paths will cross. Colleen and I can’t wait to see everyone back on campus when the fall semester begins with Move-In-Day for new students on August 19, and the first day of classes on August 23. Until then, I hope everyone has a restful summer and returns to campus energized. A fresh wind is blowing and it is time that we chart our futures and raise our sails high.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Patterson, PhD
Interim President
