For more than 35 years, I have borne witness to the never-ending dedication of Penn State Altoona staff and faculty to our students and college. Never has that been more true than during the spring, summer, and fall 2020 semesters. Every day I hear stories of how our Penn State Altoona family has adapted in teaching and work to provide exemplary instruction and support for our students. I couldn't be prouder of all you've done to advance our college and the University's missions.

A special thanks to the many staff and faculty who volunteered to call and check in with our students in quarantine and isolation. Some of you shared your experiences with me, and a common thread has been the students' expressions of appreciation and gratitude. This year has reinforced how critical these types of touchpoints are to student success.

I am grateful for our employees and volunteers for their herculean efforts in serving our students both on-and off-campus. I am grateful for your individual and collective actions and the countless hours you have invested in planning and implementing new strategies to support our students.

In short, I continue to be amazed by the great work you all do. Although we are physically distant, in my heart, I have never felt closer to my Penn State Altoona family. We've been in this together all along. We will continue our work, ensuring every student, faculty, and staff member's safety and success.

Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry

Chancellor and dean, Penn State Altoona