A message to alumni from Dean Hartwell: March 2020

Dear College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni,

As our world responds to the global COVID-19 crisis, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am here and thinking of all of you.

I especially want to thank our alumni who are on the front line of fighting this pandemic as physicians, nurses, social workers, first responders, researchers, educators, caregivers, and medical personnel. Though we often say our alumni are #WarriorStrong, you embody that strength.

I understand that this crisis puts enormous financial distress on those who do not have the ability to work from home. Please know my thoughts are with you as well.

Because our college focuses on developing critical thinkers, problem solvers and engaged citizens, our students and alumni are uniquely conscientious of the current situation. I hope that I can be uniquely bold leading our college during this time by doing everything I can to protect the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. The university has moved all classes to online/remote formats, campus events have been postponed through April, and international travel has been suspended. The university as a whole is deeply engaged in our community's response to COVID-19. Please refer to the WSU coronavirus site which is frequently updated and offers a variety of resources.

We're here to educate, and even though we won't be doing so in person, our exceptional faculty are engaging students through online instruction and support with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Career Services, and Student Disability Services. The unprecedented events that communities and universities are facing across the world are challenging and I'm proud to report that here in Detroit, the college's students are responding in true Warrior fashion. As I write this, chemistry students are hard at work mixing batches of hand sanitizer for first responders, biological sciences students are donating protective supplies to hospitals, and our nutrition and food science students are working with Gleaners Community Food Bank to feed the Detroit Public Schools children who rely on school lunches.

Furthermore, anyone interested in being part of the Wayne State community's response to COVID-19 can do so by supporting student hardship funds being raised to address the immediate needs of students experiencing difficulties during this uncertain time.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni, students, faculty, and staff believe in humanity's perseverance, trust in science and medicine, and value appreciation and tolerance of cultures different than our own. It is in times like these, those skills and sentiments are needed more than ever.

Please wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Steffi Hartwell, Ph.D.
Very proud Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at WSU!