Dear Campus Community,

The day after a consequential election was destined to bring about many different feelings, emotions and thoughts about the outcome. Regardless of how you voted on the candidates who were up for election at the local, state and national level, I want to remind our campus community that your engagement in the election process mattered and had meaning to the future of our democracy.

  
I want to thank everyone across our campus community for your engagement in this election cycle — planning and participating in voter registration programs, information sessions, rallies, debates, election night watch parties and so much more. You have proven that you have made Bowie State’s mission of civic engagement and your role in the democratic process a priority.

I especially would like to thank the leadership of our Student Government Association, the administrators and staff of the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, the Division of Philanthropic Engagement and the Department of Conference and Event Services for your support of the many efforts that took place leading up to election day.

At Bowie State University, we pride ourselves in contributing to our democratic society. We will continue to focus on our mission focused on the education of citizens who will leave our hallowed grounds to contribute to their community; and I encourage our campus community to use the momentum built during this election cycle to continue your civic engagement.

 
In the days ahead, I encourage you to remain engaged in the democratic process and in your community. To help our campus community reflect and discern the meaning and importance of the election process, I invite our campus to attend the upcoming program sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs & Civic Engagement and the Division of Philanthropic Engagement on November 13, entitled “We Voted, Now What?" Local leaders will be invited to discuss how to stay engaged with the issues that will impact our community over the next four years. I encourage you to participate and to share your thoughts and feelings about the election, as well as our roles and responsibilities to lift and unite us as one nation. Think about what you can do to remain involved with the community through volunteerism, service and participating in future elections.

 
We owe a special thanks to Dr. Mitchell, the Counseling Center staff, faculty, and Student Affairs for their support in the post-election time. Counseling Services, in collaboration with Student Affairs, will be in the Student Center lobby this week from 12 – 3 p.m. to help you to debrief and process what you might be feeling in connection with the election results. If you require personal sessions, counselors will be available to meet with you in a private location in the Student Center. Otherwise, you may request an appointment for counseling by calling Counseling Services at (301) 860-4169 or by emailing counselingservices@bowiestate.edu. If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance after 5:30 p.m., please contact the Counseling Services’ after-hours crisis number at (301) 860-4164 or call Public Safety at (301) 860-4040 for situations on campus involving immediate danger. 

Each day I pass the eternal flame, and it reminds me of the solemn work set before us. Despite the challenges BSU has faced since our founding, we, as the first HBCU in Maryland, continue to move forward and advance our mission to educate our students. We do so with a commitment to leave this place better than we found it. I remain encouraged about the future given the level of engagement from faculty, staff, students and alumni to adhere to that same commitment demonstrated through the election process; and I thank you for what you have done and continue to do for Bowie State University and for generations to come.

Remember, we are Bowie Bold!

  
Sincerely,
Aminta H. Breaux
President, Bowie State University