As we begin the accelerated slide into Thanksgiving, finals, grading, and the holidays that follow, I am reminded that our (now) traditional holiday karaoke party is close at hand. We'll meet, as we have over the past 7 years, on December 5, at 4 pm in Shepard 350 for food, drink, companionship, and (with any luck) a vibrant assortment of beautiful or earnest vocal presentations.

But I’m also reminded, this year, of why we went with a karaoke-themed party all these years ago. In late 2016, we found ourselves in circumstances very similar to today’s with significant potential shifts in our professional and social landscape. It seemed to me then, as it does now, that one of the things people do at such moments is gather, draw strength and encouragement from one another, and celebrate in song.

Let’s do that, and see if we can weave an evening of keeping each others’ company into the start of a more resilient community fabric.

Add your song selections to this link ahead of the party: https://forms.gle/wjgrCGkvzgtgf3bz8.