MBU honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. around the national theme of “The Urgency of Creating the Beloved Community.” With classes on the main campus cancelled, MBU offered opportunities throughout the day for faculty, staff, and students to reflect, get involved, and serve others. “It is important to celebrate [Dr.] Martin Luther King Day because we need to keep his legacy alive, especially with what has been going on in America recently,” said Adele Beaucicot ’23.

Last August, MBU opened the 2020–21 academic year under “Back to Baldwin,” a comprehensive plan for returning students, faculty, and staff to navigate an altered reality. And the Mary Baldwin community not only came back, but stayed at Baldwin during a fall semester like no other. It took hard work, nimble adjustments, and, most of all, a university-wide dedication to protecting each other’s health and safety.

Fall semester for the Fighting Squirrels was a waiting game. But with careful safety measures, players, coaches, and staff are returning to competitive play this spring. “Our commitment is to the student-athletes — they want to play, and the athletic department and university are doing everything we can to accomplish that,” said Tom Byrnes, athletic director. “It won’t be perfect, but we’re doing the best we can in an extraordinary era. Hopefully it’s short term, and we’re back closer to normal next year.”

MBU Online students, like Simone Foxx, faced many challenges during the fall semester as the pandemic upended workplaces and schools. Often juggling their education with careers and caring for family, online students showed great fortitude through tumultuous times and moved ahead with their educational goals. Foxx is pursuing her undergraduate degree through MBU Online with a major in health sciences.