November 22, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
As we head into the week, I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I would also like to acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities native to this region and recognize that IU South Bend was built on Indigenous homelands and resources. We recognize the Potawatomi, Peoria, Myaamia, Kickapoo, Kaskaskia, Mascouten and Meskwaki people as past, present, and future caretakers of this land.
As shared by President Pam Whitten, the executive leadership of IU would like to express their gratitude for all you’ve done during this unique time with an extended Thanksgiving break. Therefore, Wednesday, Nov. 24, will be a this year. I hope that you enjoy this additional day off. In addition to wishing you a joy filled holiday, below are a few things to look forward to or celebrate as we finish out the calendar year.
Raclin Holiday Sock Hop
Don’t miss the annual Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 7:30 pm in the Northside Hall Campus Auditorium. The annual holiday celebration is an opportunity to help our friends and neighbors connect with charitable organizations serving the Michiana community. Tickets for the event are available for purchase, or you can donate new socks, winter clothing, or toiletry items in exchange for a free ticket.
Next Coffee with the Chancellor
The final Coffee with the Chancellor of the year will be held on Thursday, December 16 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm in the University Grill and on Zoom. Look for more details in the Daily Titan.
I would like to conclude by recognizing our 2021 Women’s Volleyball Team who competed this past weekend in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship Opening Round. They have much to be proud of this season!
I am thankful for you and all you do for our students, each other and our community. As all of you know, I find inspiration in nature and in the latest book I am reading, The Wonder of Birds by Jim Robbins, I was struck by the description of murmurations – the collective behavior of large flocks of birds. You’ve probably seen flocks that dance and surge as they fly through the air. Research has shown that it isn’t the distance between the birds that guides their actions, but the number of neighbors they have in the flock. There really is strength in numbers! It is through our collective engagement with everyone that we are a stronger community.
I hope you can find ways this week to relax, re-energize, rejuvenate and perhaps find inspiration in your gatherings with family and friends.