Messages from Dean Peart

Join us today as we salute the Jepson School of Leadership Studies Class of 2020 during our virtual Finale ceremony and the University’s virtual Commencement tribute!

During their collegiate years, our seniors made numerous, invaluable contributions to the School, the University, and the community beyond our campus. They also have witnessed how leadership lessons learned in the classroom are playing out in leaders’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which some have called the greatest global leadership challenge since the end of World War II. As they leave Jepson and the University, these lessons learned will propel our graduates to engage as active citizens and leaders.

Today we honor our graduates and reflect on their achievements. Visit our Finale 2020 website to view the official Class of 2020 video and a congratulatory message from me. There, you will also find a retrospective slideshow and a full listing of majors and minors, complete with their awards and honors.

Until we can celebrate together in person,

I hope you and your loved ones are well. I send my sincere wishes for your continued strength and resiliency during this uncertain time.

You may be interested in a few updates from the School as week four of remote teaching begins. First, I commend you for demonstrating remarkable creativity in how you have adapted to learning in this new environment. The School’s faculty and staff are doing everything possible to facilitate your learning.

Speaking for myself, I am enormously happy to see some of you via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays when I teach my Economic Policy and Leadership class. This past Monday, Jeffrey Lacker, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, led our discussion on Federal Reserve policy in the last crisis and this one. What an extraordinary experience for all of us!

Beyond teaching in entirely new ways, the faculty and I are imagining how best to celebrate the achievements of our seniors, whose research and other accomplishments will be displayed on our website in the coming weeks. Finally, we are working hard to ensure all Jepson students remain on track to graduate; in particular, we are considering how our juniors may complete all requirements in these difficult times. Please know that the faculty, staff, and I will do everything possible to ensure you are successful in the weeks and months ahead.

While we may be socially distant, as a School and a University we are a community of great strength, and we will come through this crisis together.

I hope you and your loved ones are well. Please accept my sincere wishes for strength and resiliency during this uncertain time.

You may be interested in a few updates from the School as week four of remote teaching begins. Our students continue to demonstrate remarkable creativity. They have adapted well and continue to learn in this new environment. The School’s faculty and staff are doing everything possible to facilitate that learning. Speaking for myself, I am enormously happy to see my students’ faces via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays when I teach my Economic Policy and Leadership class. This past Monday, Jeffrey Lacker, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, led our discussion on Federal Reserve policy in the last crisis and this one. What an extraordinary experience for all of us!

Beyond teaching in entirely new ways, the faculty and I are imagining how best to celebrate the achievements of our seniors, whose research and other accomplishments will be displayed on our website in the coming weeks. Finally, we are working hard to ensure all Jepson students remain on track to graduate; in particular, we are considering how our juniors may complete all requirements in these difficult times. Please know that the faculty, staff, and I will do everything possible to ensure our students are successful in the weeks and months ahead.

While we may be socially distant, as a School and a University we are a community of great strength, and we will come through this crisis together.

I hope you and your friends and loved ones are well. I write this message with a heavy heart, as a follow-up to Dr. Crutcher’s message to the UR Community last night. I thought you would be interested in how we are coping at the Jepson School. I am so very sad and disappointed that our students’ semester is disrupted and their face-to-face time with friends and colleagues is cut short. I always enjoy seeing them thrive and grow during the spring semester.

This morning I wrote to assure our students that we are doing everything possible to help them continue learning. Our faculty and staff are working diligently to reimagine their education in a remote format. I am heartened by their willingness to help one another, their determination, and their creativity. Although this is not the end of semester we anticipated, we will do our best to help our students remain connected to each other and to the School.

I also sent a special few words to our seniors, who (along with me) are devastated that their hard work and achievements will not be recognized in the usual ways during Senior Banquet, Finale, and Commencement. I reassured them that the friendships and accomplishments gained in their time at UR will last, and we will celebrate at a future, happier time. I will do everything possible to ensure we gather together and recognize their special ties to faculty, staff, and friends.

In the midst of our sadness, leadership is needed more than ever—and our alumni and students are the well-prepared leaders of our future. I have every confidence you will rise to the challenges ahead. Please continue to lead with purpose and determination. Please also keep our students, faculty, and staff in your thoughts in the weeks ahead.

I hope you and your friends and loved ones are well. I write this message with a heavy heart, as a follow-up to Dr. Crutcher’s message to the UR community last night. I’m so very sorry that your semester has been disrupted during these uncertain times. Surely you are extremely disappointed and sad to have your face-to-face time with friends and colleagues cut short. I’m sad too, as I always enjoy seeing you thrive and grow during the spring semester. I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to help you continue learning. Your faculty and our staff are working diligently to reimagine your education in a remote format. I have been heartened by their willingness to help one another, their determination, and their creativity. Although this is not the end of semester we anticipated, we will do our best to keep you connected to each other and to the School.

Seniors, a special message to you. I imagine you are devastated—as am I—that your hard work and accomplishments will not be recognized in the usual way during Senior Banquet, Finale, and Commencement. I write to reassure you that the friendships and achievements you gained in your time at Jepson will last and be celebrated at a future, happier time. Please know that my staff and I will do everything possible to ensure that we gather together in the future and recognize your special ties to faculty, staff, and friends.

In the midst of our sadness, know that leadership is now needed more than ever—and you are the well-prepared leaders of our future. I have every confidence that you will rise to the challenges ahead.