Dear OSU Community,
I write to express my appreciation of you and gratitude for your many contributions to Oregon State University, a community that each day advances the lives and futures of others throughout our state, nation and world.
I also share my thanks for you warmly welcoming Shenette and me to Oregon and Beaver Nation.
It has never been more important as it is now for us to be a community of care – a community committed to welcoming and assisting others. And a community resolved to continued personal and public health measures that protect not only ourselves, but those we care for and love as well as those we engage with or pass by in everyday activities.
Across America, public health experts and elected leaders have asked us to remain at home. And if we do celebrate this Thanksgiving with others, to do so with no more than six people from no more than two families. I support such measures and ask you to join me in observing such limitations this year. We must do so for a far better future.
As we approach winter and the 10th month of having to dramatically adjust our lives to this pandemic, it is more important than ever to take the prescribed health measures to heart for the safety of ourselves and everyone around us. While we may not gather with some of our closest family and friends, our greatest sharing of gratitude this Thanksgiving can be expressed by connecting virtually, remaining physically distant and finding new ways of demonstrating heartfelt thanks in voice and action. And by taking a moment to make a difference for others around us who may be in need.
We know that many OSU students are not traveling this week to visit family or friends. In response, several Corvallis restaurants, OSU colleges and university departments are collaborating to provide private donations to enable these students to enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal. So far, more than $5,000 has been raised, which means that more than 450 students can safely be served a holiday meal to go.
This GoFundMe effort collaborates with the It’s On Us Corvallis program that community members launched last spring to help support local restaurants that are being greatly challenged during the pandemic.
At OSU-Cascades, students may request online a customized box from the campus food pantry thanks to the efforts of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus.
As you reflect upon being grateful, I also encourage everyone to take time over Thanksgiving and during the winter holidays to enjoy some well-deserved days off from work, teaching, research, service to others and study. Rest and relax, please. I assure you, we will persist as a university community. And together, we will enjoy a healthier, safer and more successful 2021.
I wish you all peace, good health and a sense of security and warmth this Thanksgiving.
With gratitude,
F. King Alexander
President