PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

From the President

“WE SHALL NOT FAIL OR FALTER. We shall not weaken or tire. Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.”

Thus said Winston Churchill, whose legacy and words resound today. If you’ve never visited Melville Hall, you might not know I have my drawings of Churchill created by his daughter Sarah displayed in my office. For most of my life, I have found inspiration in this art, in his rousing speeches, and by example in his indomitable spirit.

This issue of Patches reflects the courage of our community to “finish the job.” Our students, faculty, and staff have persevered in ways unimaginable before 2020.

You’ll read about the Community Scholars program, lifting up Partnership Sites’ students with the academic foundation and resources to go and serve their communities.

We announce the upcoming Power of Possibilities event, which continues virtually in 2021. Our scholarship recipients have moving stories to tell, and Harcum is fortunate to have friends and donors supporting them.

You’ll learn more about the initiative to restore the Harcum murals, a large-scale preservation of a visual time capsule, created by earlier generations of Harcum students for future generations, the scope of which can never be replicated.

In the feature about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Nursing Program Director Fran Shuda shares her quest to provide mentors for nursing students of color. Also, Program Director Jim Foster explains how he created new clinical rotations for Harcum OTA students after the pandemic hit.

In “Bear Pride,” we recognize Dr. Tracy Johnson ’04, who powered through a soul-crushing learning disability, publishing a book to help dyslexic adults.

In this new year, I am optimistic we will not falter along this path we undertake together toward giving our students the tools and support they need to finish the academic year and flourish as Harcum graduates.

All best wishes,

JON JAY DETEMPLE, PH.D., MBA