PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

From the President

ONE OF HARCUM’S CORE VALUES is an emphasis on excellence. In this issue of Patches, our commitment to excellence is seemingly on every page.

And excellence builds on excellence. Building on the outstanding outcomes of the traditional Nursing program, we started Evening Nursing, now enrolled to capacity. In 2021, our Medical Laboratory Technology, Phlebotomy, and Early Childhood Education programs were all reaccredited.

This issue features our International Programs, which hearken back to our founder Edith Harcum, a pianist of world renown. Harcum has helped generations of students from around the globe. While the Center for International Programs has faced unprecedented challenges in the face of the 21st century pandemic, the staff persevered, continuing to help athletes, English Language Academy students, and au pairs, their cultures enriching the entire student body.

I must take this opportunity to recognize Won Lee, associate professor and assistant director of International Programs, who died unexpectedly during the production of this issue. He taught at Harcum for twenty-plus years. During a recent interview, he said teaching international students was a great joy in his life and gave him peace.

This issue recognizes others whose lives shone brightly but were also dimmed too soon. You will learn about another excellent professor at Harcum, Maureen M. Kennedy, and the student scholarship her teaching inspired, and about Sandra Jaffe ’58, founder of Preservation Hall, whose life’s work enshrined traditional jazz.

All of Harcum’s core values resound in this issue, but perhaps none more than excellence, resulting from the combined efforts of teachers, alumni, and administrators and their steadfast belief in this college. I couldn’t be more proud or grateful for what they have accomplished and for everything they have given.

Until next time,

JON JAY DETEMPLE, PH.D., MBA