From the Dean
March 20, 2020
Dear Graduating Eastman Students,
I write with a heavy heart, knowing how severely you are being affected by the coronavirus. The fact that it is impacting graduating students at every institution across the county does little to blunt the pain one feels, personally. I can only begin to imagine how hard it is to receive the news from President Mangelsdorf that this year’s commencement celebrations are cancelled.
Given the unprecedented nature of the international crisis we are facing, and the reality that we cannot predict when the current pandemic might abate, I fully support the difficult decision made by President Mangelsdorf.
In the coming days, I will appoint a committee of faculty, staff, and students to think creatively together about how Eastman can celebrate all of you, in a way that will be meaningful and allow us all to participate as a community together. As I write this message, I do not know what that looks like. However, I trust this community of artists, scholars, leaders, and teachers to come up with a proposal that will be uniquely Eastman. I take the words inscribed on the façade of the Eastman Theatre to heart—for the enrichment of community life. In this case, it is our own community—the community of students who have worked hard and deserve the opportunity to have their achievements celebrated—whose lives I want to find a way to enrich. Surely, our music will be at the core of whatever we do.
I am thinking of you during these challenging times and sending my best wishes that you all stay safe and healthy. Better days that will be filled with music are ahead.
Kind regards,
Jamal Rossi