Editor’s note: We’re counting down the top ten Grove City College stories of the year. This story is number one based on audience interaction and institutional impact. It was originally published May 11.
Grove City College will open as scheduled for the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 24 with protocols in place to protect the health and safety of students, employees and the larger community in light of the coronavirus pandemic, College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 announced today.
McNulty has assembled a cross-disciplinary Fall Return Planning Committee to identify and address key campus and community concerns associated with the return of students and develop and implement a comprehensive plan that ensures an excellent academic and residential experience in the fall.
“It is our intention to return to our distinctive residential program in compliance with applicable government directives and relevant guidelines to protect the health and safety our entire community. The College is now marshaling resources – including on-campus expertise alongside outside community health services to chart a safe path to the start of a new fall semester,” McNulty said. “Students and families should know that Grove City College is determined to be prepared to the best of its ability to deliver the learning and living experience for which it is so highly regarded.”
Comprised of administrators, faculty and staff, the committee chaired by President McNulty will formulate extensive plans that support the continuity and quality of the College’s core functions – academic affairs, student activities, athletics, dining and residence halls, career services and more. Best practices involving testing, contact tracing, monitoring, social distancing, separation and enhanced cleaning will be fully considered and addressed by the committee.
“It is important for Grove City College to be a conscientious partner in the community-wide efforts necessary to combat the coronavirus and to serve as a model for community-college collaboration. To be successful, our efforts must be closely coordinated,” McNulty said.
Students were sent home and campus was closed in March after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered the closure of nonessential state businesses. In just a few days, Grove City College shifted to a highly successful model of remote instruction that allowed students to continue their studies online and graduating seniors to complete their undergraduate degrees.
“We are looking to tap into the same highly collaborative spirit that enabled the College to swiftly transition more than 800 courses to remote instruction in just a few days to address what is perhaps the most pressing challenge that American higher education has ever faced,” McNulty said. “We will approach this important work intentionally and prayerfully,” he added.
Members of the Fall Return Planning Committee are:
- Dr. Peter Frank ’95, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Michael Buckman ’82, Vice President for Business & Finance
- Joseph Cirelli, Assistant Dean of Student Life
- Dr. John Coyne ’04, Associate Dean of Student Life
- Jonathan DiBenedetto, Director of Residence Life
- Dr. Vincent F. DiStasi '88, Vice President for Information Technology, Chief Information Officer
- Michael Duda ’95, Risk and Insurance Specialist
- JonErik Germadnik, General Manager Bon Appetit
- Todd Gibson '02, Director of Athletics
- Susan Grimm, Environmental Health & Safety Specialist
- Larry Hardesty, Vice President for Student Life and Learning
- Dr. John Inman, Vice President for Enrollment Services and Registrar
- Dr. Paul Kemeny, Dean of the Calderwood School of Arts & Letters
- Dr. Charles E. Kriley ’88, Professor of Chemistry
- James M. Lopresti, Vice President for Operations
- Melissa MacLeod ’96, Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations
- Jacquelyn Muller, Senior Director of Communications
- Dr. Constance N. Nichols ’93, Professor of Education and Department Chair
- Amy Pagano, Director of Zerbe Health & Wellness Center
- Zachary Pitcher ’17, Chapel Programming Director
- Dr. Richard Savage, Dean of the Hopeman School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Dr. Kevin S. Seybold, Professor of Psychology and Department Chair
- Betty Tallerico, Assistant to the President
- Dr. Jeffrey Tedford ’00, Associate Professor of Music and Department Chair
- Marci Wagner, Director of Human Resources
- Michelle Williams ’01, Director of Financial Services
- Dr. Brian Yowler, Assistant Professor of Biology