To Our Beloved Taylor Students and Families, Employees, Alumni and Friends,
We have reached the end of the semester. I write to share this video message, as well as a series of written updates below.
The most compelling stories in the Bible are full of unexpected twists and turns. Adam and Eve are banished from Paradise. Noah builds a boat on dry land. Abraham is asked to sacrifice his long-awaited son. David conquers a giant with stones. A prodigal is welcomed home with a feast. King Jesus performs miracles and turns everything upside down.
At Taylor, no matter how the story turns next, we hope you sense our resolve to develop more and more servant leaders to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth. These past eight weeks, amidst life-altering circumstances and unfathomable hardship, God surprised this 174-year-old institution again. He reminded us of His faithfulness as He called us deeper together in our commitment to fulfill our educational and spiritual mission as a community that is not defined by geography.
Now, we have reached the end of a most unexpected semester. It’s Finals Week, and we did it. We completed the semester as a dispersed community, thanks to our remarkably creative faculty and supportive staff, wholeheartedly committed to 1,829 students filled with promise. To God be the glory!
Fall Semester to Start in August
All of us can’t wait to welcome you again in person to our beautiful campus, with fall classes beginning Monday, August 31, as scheduled.
Our new and returning students will receive housing information in the next few days. Returning students have already registered for fall classes, and we are thrilled to welcome 458 new freshmen and transfer students. These numbers likely will shift some in the coming weeks.
Let me assure you that we are dedicated to ensuring compliance with all Indiana government and public health guidelines. While eager to have students return, we will act responsibly to care for the health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors. Our campus is reopening this summer as employees begin to return on a phased-in schedule, and some students return for summer research projects with faculty and to prepare for fall athletics.
We’re also preparing for the unexpected, not knowing what new health challenges and travel restrictions might emerge. Our staff and faculty will be ready to adjust quickly if we have to transition again to virtual learning. The lived-experience at Taylor is distinctive, and we have expectant hope for the academic year ahead.
If anyone would like to know more details about our reopening plans, please continue to monitor www.taylor.edu/coronavirus for regular updates.
Commencement on August 15
Mark your calendars, graduating seniors and families. Commencement will be held on Saturday, August 15. That will make for a glorious weekend, including some special events for graduating seniors, who will continue a distinctive Taylor tradition as they receive not only their diplomas, but also Bibles and Taylor servant’s towels.
Our staff is making provisions so we practice social distancing guidelines, while enabling the entire Taylor community to participate remotely, especially for graduating seniors who will not be able to participate in person. Graduating seniors and their families should look for an email with more details in the days to come.
Praise and Thanksgiving
In closing, we continue to praise God for his faithful provision these past two months! Please join us in thanksgiving to our heavenly Father.
Faithfully and together,
Paige Comstock Cunningham, PhD, JD
Interim President