President’s Letter

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Grateful, from a Distance

Dear Friends of Starr,

I write to you in a “new normal” many of us would not have recognized only a few short months ago. While so much has changed in the wake of the pandemic, I take great pride in sharing with you how Starr Commonwealth has not only adapted to current conditions, but has answered the call in a manner that will greatly accelerate the reach of our mission. Our top priority has always been the safety of our students and staff, and each has faced this challenge head-on to not only stay healthy, but in ways from which we will all learn and grow. To date, answering the call has meant more than 75,000 new professionals have access to our courses, covering all 50 states and 124 countries. As you’ll read in this issue, this is only the beginning of Starr’s drive to heal during the pandemic.

Despite all that we face, I am delighted to also share exciting updates. The Rupert Gallery, housed in Brueckner Museum, is our latest exhibit to share with students and visitors to campus. With its opening, we are honored to celebrate both the legacy of Uncle Floyd, as well as the Rupert family who donated the various pieces. While we welcome new experiences on campus, we are also excited about a new partnership to extend our professional training and coaching curriculum. Teaming with former NBA player and youth advocate Willie Burton, Starr Commonwealth has launched ExcelU, Burton’s school- and communitybased curriculum that unifies academic success and health-wellness for students. Details for both of these updates can be found in the following pages. Regrettably, another impact of the COVID-19 outbreak was the difficult decision to delay the 4th Annual Night of Starrs. This has traditionally served as one of our most cherished evenings, at which we have had the opportunity to share your collective impact—something we are grateful for each day. While we look forward to honoring our supporters’ dedication soon, please know that gratitude drives us, and we have all of you to thank for making our adaptability possible during this trying time.

In addition to this night of thanks, we are also thrilled to recognize individuals whose unique callings and accomplishments Stand Tall in support of our mission. This year, we are honored to host Dawn DeLuca, Mae Ola Dunklin, and Dr. Anne Mortensen as the 2020 Stand Tall Award Recipients. You can read about each in our Night of Starrs update in this issue.

Distance is no obstacle to our overwhelming appreciation for our supporters and partners. Because of you, we continue to lead with courage to create positive experiences so that all children, families, and communities flourish. Thank you, and I hope the following pages inspire you to take your next step for the children of Starr.

Yours in Healing,

Elizabeth Carey, President & CEO