Dear Research Day Participants,

Welcome to Salem State University’s Virtual Research Day for 2020! I am so glad that you have decided to engage in this wonderfully creative and digitally supported version of SSU’s annual research day event. Your participation here speaks to the personal qualities vital to all great scholars, researchers, and artists:

• Curiosity: You want to know more about the worlds around you, both the outer worlds of nature and society and the inner worlds of emotion and reason.
• Creativity: You seek fresh insights into many of the challenges that confront us and work to solve problems in new ways.
• Persistence: You are committed to satisfying your curiosity and creating new knowledge despite the challenges that you might confront (e.g., the onset of a pandemic).
• Generosity: You are willing to share what you have discovered and what you have created with an audience, not only to showcase your achievements, but more importantly, to benefit others for whom your scholarly and artistic work makes a difference.

For those of you who are publicly presenting research, scholarship, or creative work for the first time at this year’s SSU Research Day, I offer a special word of congratulations. Today marks an important transition in your personal and professional journey, advancing you from “student” to “scholar.” Bravo!

For those who are already on the scholar’s path, I want to express my appreciation for your willingness to share your projects in this particular venue. Your efforts to create and disseminate scholarly, research, and creative works directly supports the mission of Salem State, which includes preparing “a diverse community of learners to contribute responsibly and creatively to a global society.”

As SSU’s Provost, and a committed teacher and scholar myself, I thank all of you for making today possible. Salem State’s annual Research Day is all about your ideas, your efforts, and your contributions to our shared life in community, not only within the walls of the university but beyond.

So here’s to you. Job well done!

With admiration and gratitude,
David J. Silva, Ph.D.
Provost and Academic Vice President
Salem State University