Hey, Students Are Back. They’re Home.

We have a somewhat silly tradition in my family that when anyone enters our home, we all pretend we are sleeping. My two sons take this tradition very seriously. For instance, my three-year-old will immediately stop what he’s doing and fall to the ground with incredible speed and force. It’s a skill. My other son will usually lie in the most awkward position, feet in the air, arms outstretched, while he loudly shrieks as if that is what snores actually sound like. We had family in town last week and every morning when they came out of their bedroom, our boys enacted this ritual with passion and perfection.

Before my children became skilled professionals in this tradition, though, they would excitedly run to the front door to greet me when I came home from work. They would shout, “Dad, you’re home. Hey Mom, Dad’s home.” Then they would go into a long rant about what they did that day, what games they played, art they created, or silly things that happened. It made coming home from work such a joy as it seemed like they actually missed me. 

As I walked across the Dell earlier this week, I found myself with a similar excitement. No, I didn’t want to immediately fall to the ground and pretend I was sleeping as I crossed paths with students in Friendship Circle (although, I’m sure that could make for an interesting and hysterical scene). I did, though, find myself filled with such joy for their return that I almost wanted to shout, “You’re home. Hey, students are back, they’re home.” Again, I’m sure people would find this somewhat alarming, so I held back the urge. 

Even though there will be challenges this semester as we tighten our COVID precautions due to the omicron surge that has reached Lynchburg, I am still excited we are back for another semester. We are here to develop our students, to promote strong character and balanced perspectives, to prepare one another for engagement in a diverse society, and to foster leaders for the civic, professional, and spiritual dimensions of life. All of us contribute, whether we realize it in the moment or not, to this goal. As we pursue this goal, I hope students will recognize they are home while faculty and staff recognize the important role we play to make this a reality.

So, if you see me walking across the Dell this week, and you feel the urge to fall to the ground and pretend you’re sleeping, I welcome that. However, a less dramatic and probably more hospitable approach is simply to say, “Welcome, back. Glad you’re home.” to everyone you pass on the Dell.