The Exeter bond
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to express support for our Exeter community during this extraordinary year. Your encouragement and continued faith in Exeter’s people, mission and values have been welcome and appreciated as we work together to keep our community strong.
The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to postpone, cancel or reinvent many of Exeter’s time-honored traditions over the past year. In true Exeter fashion, you have risen to the occasion and embraced the opportunity to connect, reflect, learn from and honor our shared experiences in new and creative ways. From late-night (or early morning) class Zoom calls and industry-focused panel discussions, to webinars honoring coeducation and virtual conversations with alumni authors, artists, activists and more, we have found meaningful ways to come together, even as we remain apart.
To put it in numbers, more than 3,700 Exonians representing nine decades and 48 countries have participated in 135 virtual events over the last 11 months. These numbers are not only impressive but also reflective of the strength of the Exeter bond and our spirit of non sibi.
We know these next few months undoubtedly will be full of change, challenges and sacrifice. Yet, I know we will continue to derive comfort and hope in our shared commitment to learn and grow together as we support one another in every way possible.
For those who were looking forward to joining us on campus this spring for reunions and celebrations, please know we are poised, eager and committed to providing special opportunities for you to reunite with classmates, engage with faculty and connect with current students through a special virtual reunions event in May. We invite all alumni to join us in June for a one-of-a-kind online celebration of Exeter’s 50th anniversary of coeducation. More details will be forthcoming on these opportunities and other alumni virtual programming.
As we embrace the year 2021, together, we will find ways to strengthen existing connections and forge new ones within our Exeter community. We hope you are safe and healthy during this challenging time.
Editor's note: This article first appeared in the winter 2021 issue of The Exeter Bulletin.
