The Administration of Snead State Community College would like to share with you a message of encouragement written by Dr. Jonathan Watts, the Division Director for Humanities and Fine Arts and Director for Religious Studies. 

“In times of crisis and concern, many will become isolated, confined, and even quarantined.  Finding ourselves in that position, we risk losing our outward vision and begin to look inward.  From that posture we could find ourselves walking down a path which leads to despair and loneliness.  

“Our Snead State community finds ourselves in a unique position.  We are so comfortable with the climate in which we are surrounded by our peers, standing in front of our students, and in a constant state of interactivity.  Suddenly we have been thrust into separation and isolation.  Our lively conversations have been reduced to texts and emails of black and white print.  Blackboard is our classroom.  The joy and passion of our vocation is confined within the walls of our home.

“I am reminded of John Dunn’s Meditation XVII: ‘No one is an island entirely of themselves.’ Even though we are apart, we are still connected to the whole.  Because we are not on campus does not mean that we are alone.  In times of crisis, the Snead family has always been just that – a family.  Families band together in tough times, lift each other up, and encourage each other to continue to move forward. 

“David, the king, musician, and poet, is credited with writing the 23rd Psalm.  He speaks of perilous time as he pens: ‘Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm…’  Note the positive action here.  He did not say we would lie down in the valley.  He did not say we would never get out of the valley.  His words tell us that we will go ‘through’ this valley.  In modern terms, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Right now we just don’t know how long that tunnel may be. 

“Years ago, after having my vehicle repaired, I still remember what the mechanic said, ‘Do not become a stranger.’  A text, email, or phone call can mean so much.  Just to say, ‘How are you?,’ steps beyond the business as usual and brings us back together as friends and colleagues. 

“In uncertain times let us encourage each other.  Don’t become a stranger.  With patience, diligence, and wise decisions, we will get through this.  And someday we will again gather on our campus, and these times will simply be a topic of discussion.

“Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers,
Jonathan Watts”

Thank you to Dr. Watts for reminding us that during this time of social distancing, we can choose not to be a stranger by making that phone call or text or email to offer encouragement to someone else.

To our Snead State family, please stay safe. Safeguard your health and the health of your loved ones. And please remember we will get through this together.