Sunday Message: Thank You & Happy Holidays
Dean Jon Levin writes to the Stanford GSB community expressing his appreciation for how they have come together during uncertain times.
December 13, 2020
There are a lot of ways to think about the last year. Undoubtedly, it’s been challenging, trying, and full of uncertainty. It also has been full of change and inventiveness that will have lasting and positive benefits.
As we close the year, I feel enormous gratitude for the spirit and work of everyone at the GSB — for your resilience, your creativity, and your dedication in responding to challenges at the school and beyond. There are many examples I will remember: students striving to build community and learn despite the constraints of social distancing; faculty shifting teaching online, reinventing classes, and developing new programs; the commitment of GSB staff in adapting and solving problems across every area of the school. These efforts have been instrumental in the overall success of the year, and have shown us new, and in some cases better, ways of doing things.
I will remember especially the way people responded to adversity and looked to contribute. Students started organizations and committed time to help those impacted by the pandemic, to further racial justice, and to increase civic participation during the election. Faculty and staff created new programs and online teaching and events that reached thousands of people around the world. I will long remember many individual acts of kindness and generosity throughout the year.
This year has shown that we are all capable of more than we thought we were. I know we’re all ready for a restorative break as we close the book on 2020 and open a new one for 2021. Thank you for everything you do for the GSB — and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
Jonathan Levin