T he year 2020 was a turning point . A pivotal moment when we all learned what we ' re made of . No one could have predicted it , or knew exactly how to navigate it . But Jacksonville University was uniquely built to forge our own path forward . A path through a blinding storm of uncertainty created by a public health crisis and crippling recession .
“ A sense of shared personal responsibility , respect for other people , is going to matter on this campus . We ' re in this together ."
President Tim Cost ' 81
We didn ' t evade the tough choices . We took them head on and turned them into opportunities . We leaned into our partnership with public health experts at Mayo Clinic , Baptist Health , Brooks Rehabilitation and Florida Blue to guide our thinking . We moved more classes outdoors under blue skies and shady oaks , installed cutting-edge health technology , certified contact tracers , redesigned dining and housing , and expanded flexible work and learning environments .
We knew success couldn ' t be determined by our planning and protocol . Success was in the hands of every person - students , faculty , and staff . It hinged on our personal commitment to one another and our collective grit and determination to move forward together . Every new challenge was a chance to do it differently . To do it better than before .
What good is a university if it isn ' t constantly advancing toward tomorrow ? If it isn ' t laying out that groundwork today ? This is why students , faculty , brands and community collaborators partner with Jacksonville University . Because we step beyond recognizing the future - we shape it .
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY 2021 PRESIDENT ' S REPORT PAG E 9