TO THE MANHATTAN COLLEGE COMMUNITY —
A
s we approach the close of a
in major college rankings. For example,
decidedly difficult year — one that
this was the seventh consecutive year that
has been challenging and even
Manhattan earned a place in Money’s listing
painful for so many — we at Manhattan
of U.S. colleges and universities in terms of
remain profoundly grateful to our entire
alumni outcomes — eighth among 50 leading
College community. Thanks to your faith and
institutions that garner high graduation rates
commitment, our campus continues to serve
and earnings.
as a powerful beacon of opportunity for our hard-working students.
Encouraging? Absolutely. Yet I would be remiss if I failed to note the formidable
In this issue of our President’s Report, we are
difficulties ahead. COVID-19 landed a severe
pleased to share the many accomplishments
blow. At Manhattan, pandemic-related
that have distinguished life and learning
disruptions exacted a toll on our resident
at Manhattan this past year. Impressive as
population. Although long-term projections
always, the success of our faculty, students,
remain good, the near-term drop in room
staff and alumni is more uplifting than ever.
and board revenue is requiring us to employ
Confronting the pandemic, our College
significant cost-cutting measures.
community has remained resolute in its dedication to our unique Lasallian Catholic
and contact-tracing. Key to our success has
Amid these challenges, we at Manhattan
been our students’ strong commitment to
remain confident — with good reason. As
the vision and values of our One Manhattan/
our strategic plan, Renewing the Promise,
Jaspers Return program, fulfilling their
notes, our College continues to offer a truly
pledge to protect themselves and one
unique academic experience supported by
Given the volatile reality of COVID-19, our
another by wearing masks, avoiding indoor
three strong pillars: our Distinctive Heritage,
safe return to campus this fall has been a
gatherings, maintaining safe distance, and
Distinctive Learning Environment, and
considerable achievement itself. From the
practicing effective hygiene. Thanks to all of
Distinctive Learning Dynamic. In the pages
start, our faculty, administrators and staff
these efforts, we have maintained throughout
that follow, we are pleased to provide just a
diligently monitored the pandemic’s course.
our return an infection rate well below state
few highlights of the kind of accomplishments
Working with state and local authorities,
and local levels.
that drive Manhattan’s ever-stronger
educational mission — one we hold in sacred trust for current and future generations of Jaspers.
we explored effective responses to likely scenarios. And we formed our comprehensive Return to Campus Task Force, comprising experts from across all campus disciplines. An advisory committee of distinguished alumni leaders, including members of our board of trustees, also guided these efforts.
reputation for excellence, with special focus Enabled by such measures, our academic community continues the outstanding
on the work that demonstrates our pursuit of the major goals of our strategic plan.
work begun last semester. One example: we extended our Summer Research
Our faculty, staff, alumni and friends
Program, allowing participants to resume
evince an uncommon commitment to our
the scholarly studies that were interrupted
Lasallian Catholic mission, which shapes so
when laboratories and other facilities
many young lives. And of course, there are
Laboring throughout the summer, we
were temporarily closed. Guided by their
our students — supremely talented young
developed a blueprint for a timely return to
professors, our students continue to create
men and women who enlarge the narrative
campus. New protocols covered personal
knowledge across all disciplines.
of success scripted by their distinguished
protective equipment and social distancing in common areas; virtual complements to services and activities; and innovative hybrid courses combining online and on-site study. We implemented a rigorous system of testing
predecessors. On their behalf, I thank you Reflecting this, Manhattan earned inclusion
again for all you do to keep this legacy strong.
among top colleges and universities in producing the most 2019-20 Fulbright
Brennan O'Donnell
students. We also retained our prominence
President
PRE SIDEN T ’ S REP O R T | 3
