As we look back on the semester and academic year just ended, I am in awe of the sacrifices made and challenges overcome by our Marshall community. In a matter of weeks, Marshall shifted from an emergency response as we moved classes and work online, to an attempt to understand and mitigate financial challenges, and now planning for the future. It remains our goal that Marshall prosper and emerge stronger from this crisis, a goal I know we will achieve.

There is still a great deal of uncertainty about how the fall will evolve but it is clear that, even in the best case scenarios, it too will be a disrupted semester. International students are awaiting confirmation of visa appointments and the lifting of travel bans, domestic students with health concerns will require extra caution, and it is an open question what population of students we can safely house in the dorms.

Those challenges will be considered and addressed in time, aided by the arrival of Marshall’s new dean, Geoffrey Garrett. I look forward to continuing to serve the school and our Marshall family as Dean Garrett’s deputy. Until then, I want to close this introduction to our annual Dean’s report with some special thanks.

• To the faculty and staff for continuing to provide a high-quality learning experience;
• To our Marshall students – remember that those who have had to overcome the most, have gone on to scale the highest pinnacles;
• To the families of our Marshall students – in these challenging times our amazing students rely more than ever on your support.

It is said we are practicing social distancing, at least for the time being. But to me, that’s just the opposite of what we are doing. While we have never been more physically separated, we remain spiritually united, sharing a common goal to protect each other and defeat this pandemic.

I hope you find this year’s report interesting, informative and at least a bit inspirational. Until we meet again in person, be well and Fight on!

Gareth James

Interim Dean
E. Morgan Stanley Chair in Business Administration