In 2019, we marked 20 years since the College of IST welcomed its first students. As we celebrated, we reflected on how much the world can change in a relatively short time. Now, as we say goodbye to 2020, we are reminded of the speed at which change can happen and the magnitude of its impact.
There is no need to review the events from the past year. We have all felt the totality of their exhausting, disorienting, and often tragic outcomes. Many of them, unfortunately, hit us personally and professionally.
But as we look ahead, it’s important to acknowledge the collective spirit of us — a community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends who through mutual support and shared sacrifice have faced these times together.
As a community, we saw strength and resilience. We have heard and been part of tremendous stories of selflessness, innovation, and shared humanity. We enjoyed expected and spontaneous celebrations alike, even if they looked differently than we had planned. We found new ways to engage, communicate, and spread joy.
Most importantly, we found the mental and emotional capacity to continue doing what we do best — educating students, advancing discovery, and leading in the Information Age.
Within IST, our staff remained focused on moving the college forward and preparing students for life at and beyond Penn State. Our faculty continued to advance the field of information sciences through their research while also seeking to understand and mitigate the impact of the virus. Our students responded with positivity and patience to succeed in and out of the classroom. And our alumni and friends provided encouragement and were generous in sharing their expertise and resources to support our students and programs.
Each day has served as a reminder of the strength of the individual and the power of community, and I have no doubt that we will continue to adapt, lead, overcome, and inspire in the year ahead.
I am heartened by how the IST and Penn State communities have responded to this moment in history. Resiliency, adaptability, patience, strength, and generosity have guided us through these difficult times. For that, I say thank you. It’s nice to see a constant in a world of change.
On behalf of the College of Information Sciences and Technology, I wish you and those around you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021.
— Andrew Sears, dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology