Over the past several months, we have all faced challenges — at home, at the workplace, on campus, and in almost every other aspect of our lives. In my first semester serving as the Dean of the Statler College, I have watched as this community has band together through these unprecedented changes to tackle some of the greatest hardships facing our community. I truly couldn’t be more proud or excited to lead this group of talented and compassionate people. Despite the circumstances, it is clear that the Mountaineer spirit is alive and well in our College.

Photo by J. Paige Nesbit

As campus reopened in late August, it was unlike any other in the history of West Virginia University. After months of planning and deliberation, the University was able to devise a Return to Campus plan to bring a portion of our students, faculty, and staff back to campus for the fall semester in the safest way possible.

Through these swift changes to our learning and teaching experiences, our purpose to deliver high-quality education to our students on their pursuit to achieving their dreams has never been more clearly defined. It is evident that we need courageous leaders to solve the critical problems that we will face in the years to come, and I am confident that we will lead our students to success and continue to make groundbreaking discoveries that push scientific discovery forward. By embracing unique perspectives, fostering a creative learning environment, and capitalizing on critical thinking, our College and our students have the power to shape a more just and better world.

In this edition of Engineering WV Magazine, you will learn the story of many selfless individuals who worked tirelessly in our new Innovation Hub, the first prototyping center on campus, to provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers in our state and around the world. The Innovation Hub staffers quickly pivoted as the world turned upside down to create thousands of surgical mask extenders, face shields, intubation boxes and face masks for healthcare workers. Their hard work is a glowing example of the way in which our College can serve West Virginia and the world.

Still, we know this tumultuous time is not yet over, and we have a long road ahead until we are able to bring everyone back to campus. As people across the world face different levels of hardships because of the ongoing health crisis, it is imperative that we meet each day with kindness and empathy, for ourselves and for others. Although many of us are apart in distance, always remember that you are home among the Mountaineer family. We will always rise to the occasion in true Mountaineer fashion, no matter the size of mountains that may lie ahead.