To the campus community and especially our staff:

Each September seems to bring us a new challenge, and Hurricane Isabel was certainly no exception. And again our campus staff responded with uncommon commitment to this new test and earned the A+. They secured the campus against wind and weather, and gave us warmth, food and security. Our facilities staff picked up or nailed down virtually every potential flying object across the campus, and it sand bagged critical areas all over campus. Their knowledge of potential trouble spots for leaks and flooding is impressive. Our dining halls in Ellicott and South Campus stocked up on food and water in preparation for days of shortages, but it was their staff's spirit in service to all comers over the odd hours that is truly remarkable.

How lucky we are to have staff that care so very much about this place. Our art collections and loans were watched around the clock to ensure their safety. Our new power generation capacity kept the campus operating when virtually all around us were dark. And many of our staff 'bunked in' on campus to ensure they could serve the campus when we needed them. And the clean up started right away and has already moved us back to normal.

All in all, it was again a remarkably effective operation. Our Incident Response Team coordinated our preparations and responses with remarkable effectiveness; I thank you for your planning and strategy. I offer kudos all around to the many people that made this work. I cannot thank you all enough. I know that this type of commitment comes from the heart and I am grateful to every person who was willing to give so much to our community. I know that the entire campus thanks you for it too.

C. D. Mote, Jr.
President