Dear Faculty & Staff colleagues,
This weekend we will welcome back to campus roughly 450 students. On Monday we will begin classes for the spring semester. Every day more and more vaccines are distributed in our communities. We still face a tough period in the pandemic and ongoing work to do toward racial and social justice amid political division. Yet, there is hope for bright months ahead. In the words of youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman at today's inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris: "There is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it. There is always light, if only we are brave enough to be it."
The Oxford campus is ready for the spring semester with a few new special additions that will help create a bright, warm, and cozy atmosphere. Oxford has embraced the concept of "hygge" and has designated areas on campus as "hygge spots," complete with fire pits, string lights, cushions, blankets, and lanterns. We hope you will, along with students, enjoy and relax in these spaces over the coming weeks. In parallel to campus efforts, our Campus Life team is also developing online outreach to create "hygge at home" for remote-learning students.
Thank you for warmly welcoming our students, both on-campus and virtually, and for joining in our collective hope that the light of a new semester brings.
Best,
Doug
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Faculty publications and presentations |
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David Gowler, The Dr. Lovick Pierce and Bishop George F. Pierce Professor of Religion, recently had four brief essays for The Visual Commentary on Scripture, published by King’s College, London.
New editions are now available of two of Gowler's previously published books:
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Second, revised edition: The Parables after Jesus: Their Imaginative Receptions across Two Millennia. Waco, TX: Baylor Academic Press, 2020.
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James Through the Centuries. Paperback edition. Blackwell Bible Commentary Series. Volume 17. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Press, 2020.
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Religious holiday calendar spring 2021 |
Please take a moment to view this year’s Religious Holiday Calendar for the spring semester holidays. These are the dates of the holidays for the major religious traditions represented in Emory’s diverse student population.
Faculty, you may find these helpful in your syllabus planning, especially, but also as student needs related to these holidays present themselves during the course of the semester.
Staff, you may find these helpful as you plan meetings, programs, and appointments with students and/or colleagues during the semester. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Chaplain Lyn Pace.
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Humanities Hall renovation progress |
The Humanities Hall renovation project, which began in summer 2020, is more than halfway through its construction timeline. On the exterior, the roof framing and decking installation are complete. The historic, original window frames have been stripped of old paint and prepared for a painting refresh.
On the interior, wall framing is underway on both floors. The insulation and drywall for all ceilings are complete, and the rough-in for the electrical elements has begun.
Completion of the project is expected in May, and the building will be open and ready for the start of fall semester 2021 in August. The finished building will offer classrooms with the latest academic technology — including a film-production classroom, an auditorium classroom designed for film viewing, and faculty offices.
The Office of Facilities, which oversees all construction projects, is now offering tours of the building. Randy Simon, director of facilities planning and operations, will lead tours of the project on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. COVID-19 restrictions will limit the number of people per tour and all related practices, such as wearing face coverings, will be mandatory. If you are interested in joining a tour, please send an email to Renée Hastings: [email protected].
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Faculty and staff return to campus |
For the spring semester return to campus, faculty and staff onboarding resources and information are available on the Emory Forward website. The site includes details and a link to the optional COVID-19 saliva-based asymptomatic testing information and scheduling tool.
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2021-22 Emory Alumni Board (EAB) Leadership Scholarship application open |
The Emory Alumni Board is pleased to initiate the application process for the 2021-22 Emory Alumni Board (EAB) Leadership Scholarship. They seek your help in identifying the most deserving among all qualified Emory students. Please forward the website address and application link to outstanding candidates you know of who have demonstrated a level of leadership in service to others and the community that is exemplary and who are eligible for need-based financial aid. The scholarship recognizes outstanding students whose actions and passions have improved the Emory community in the arts or sciences, academic, pre-professional, or extracurricular pursuits, through mentorship, social outreach, or other avenues.
Three scholarships of $7,000 per student will be awarded for one academic year to one or more undergraduate students who have completed at least two semesters at Emory or Oxford, and one or more graduate students who have completed at least one semester at Emory. Only full-time students will be considered, and strong preference will be given to those who qualify for financial aid. Financial need for the 2021-22 scholarship recipients will be determined from the 2020-21 FAFSA. Additionally, international students are eligible to apply. To be considered, non-U.S. citizens must complete and submit a questionnaire (in lieu of the FAFSA form) along with their application.
Applications are due on Saturday, February 20, and the final selection will be made in March by the Advancement and Alumni Engagement Committee of the Emory Alumni Board. Please contact Charisma Thomas at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
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To submit a news item for the next Campus Update, please email Ansley Holder.
The newsletter is distributed weekly on Wednesday.
Please send any submissions by Monday afternoon. Thanks for reading!
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