Northern Today Spring 2020

NORTHERN TODAY 3 SPRING 2020 The spring 2020 semester will go down as one of the most interesting and unprecedented semesters in the history of Northern State University, and for all of higher education. The word that constantly reappears in conversations and in text is “normal.” When will things get back to normal? While we don’t know the answer to that question - in fact, many questions - we continue to come together as a campus community to care for and look after one another. Due to COVID-19, faculty members quickly pivoted to online instruction for the spring semester. While online and distance instruction isn’t everyone’s first choice, our faculty and students took it in stride and made the absolute best of the situation. Campus staff, most of whom worked remotely for more than two months, took it upon themselves to create new ways of doing business and looking after our students and campus operations. Now that we have reopened campus this summer, faculty, staff and students will once again be forced to change habits and methods so we may offer a campus that is safe and primed for student engagement. I have no doubt we are all up to the challenge! As I finish my fourth year as president of Northern, the pride and admiration I hold for our faculty, staff and students has never been higher. These trying times have shown a spotlight on the hardworking teams and people that make up Northern State University. Together, we are bound by a similar vision; dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, creativity and global awareness. I’ll draw your attention to a recent tweet from @nsu_president: “In trying times history shows that communities and cultures prevail as the people are drawn together for a common cause. I am confident that we will come out of this viral period, succeeding as an institution in order to sustain our students, our community, and each other.” I truly believe this statement and look forward to working together, as a team and community, to come out of this situation a better institution. I wish you and your loved ones the very best during these times, and as always: Go Wolves! Timothy M. Downs President Letter from the President NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY | Letter from the President