A Thank You from Dr. Shaeffer

 As a self-described “stubble jumper from Iowa” there are many days I have to pinch myself and ask…how did I get here? How is it that I wake up every morning to the beauty of the Eastern Shore and its people? My path here was not linear. We have a sign in our kitchen that one of our kids gave us that says “Shaeffer Journey – from the Mountains to the Prairies to the Sea”. We’ve had stops at the University of Wyoming, University of North Dakota, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, and then suddenly we were faced with a decision…the University of Mizzou, retirement, or Eastern Shore Community College. One visit here and we were smitten. The peace, the beauty, people. Little did we know, that was just the surface. July 1, 2019, was just the beginning of an incredible professional and personal journey. So much more was waiting for us. 

Lessons learned 

It’s no secret that my first day as President of Eastern Shore Community College was anything but “normal.” Despite the heroic efforts of the faculty and staff and the undying support of the entire Eastern Shore, the college was facing challenges. We were given three years to meet the standards set for us by the VCCS or face options that none of us wanted. Not only did the college meet the challenges, in September 2022 the “reboot” was lifted, and all measures’ expectations were exceeded. 

The success was not completed in a vacuum. My tenure as President is not predicated on that success. My time here has been enriched by the spirit of the students, the faculty, the staff, and every person on the Shore who never gave up. To everyone who always believed and stood behind us, lifting us to the next level, a heartfelt thanks and gratitude for all you have done. 

Throughout this journey, I have learned important lessons that will continue to shape my life after leaving my position. They are simple. Obvious. And ever present.  

First of all, Resilience. The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties was never made more evident to me than those days I talked with faculty and staff. As one, everyone at the College faced the mandates we received and plowed through the reenvisioning, reinventing, and rethinking how we did business. They did it! And they should be proud of every long night and new idea they implemented to make things better for our community and our students. This resilience is never more clear than when you visit our classrooms and see the dedication of the students who are overcoming challenges from many directions to make it to class – and not only be there but to excel in their work. 

Secondly, Community has taken on a whole new meaning. Community is not just our villages and towns. Community is the connection that we have among each other as people and citizens of the Shore. It is clear that we are one when it comes to making this place a better place to live for ourselves and our future generations. Peggy and I learned firsthand the strength of community when we both faced our cancer challenges. The Shore and its people were here for us…every day…through our good days and bad, and for that we are eternally grateful. 

I’ve learned the Importance of YES! Not the word yes, but the meaning of the culture of YES – Your Eastern Shore. Generating from one of the early meetings the College held in spring 2020, Scott Hall presented us with the idea. And it has evolved into the philosophy and practice of Your Eastern Shore Community College. The four pillars of hospitality, transparency, accountability, and inclusion are lived every day and evident in the actions of the faculty, staff, and students. It quickly has been adopted up and down the Shore and reflects the integrity and dedication of our communities. 

Last, but certainly not least, Love!!! Sometime in the last two years the overt expressions of love at the College became a part of our day-to-day operations. Not just the flippant “I love you man”, but a sincere expression of caring in words and action. The College is a safe place for all who enter where clearly a caring environment has been created. Love knows no bounds and has brought peace and joy to my life and the lives of so many who are experiencing the College.  

As I complete my tenure as President of Your Eastern Shore Community College, simple words of thank you and gratitude are not enough. My life has been changed because of the resilience, community, YES culture and love that has been shared with my family and me over the past six years. We will hold this place close forever. 

Thank you for welcoming my family and me and letting us be a part of your life. I know that you will welcome ESCC’s new president, Dr. Daryl Minus, and his family to the Eastern Shore.