Preview: The new issue of Roanoke College magazine

One might imagine that life during a time of pandemic would be more than an institution of higher education could bear. But Roanoke College students, faculty, staff and alumni — through flexibility, diligence, creativity and cooperation — concluded the fall 2020 semester with the collective confidence of having endured one of the more challenging periods in the College’s 178-year history.

We persevered.

It is a theme woven throughout the new issue of Roanoke College magazine.

It is in the cover story about Dr. Paris Butler ’00, who during a time of heightened attention to disease and social unrest, finds himself working to address disparities in health care and diversity in the field of academic medicine.

It is in the stunning photography of Pete Emerson ’80, who typically, during the academic year, shoots photos for the College’s Athletics Department. With athletic competition suspended this fall, he took to the wilds and found solace in photographing fauna and flora.

It is in the stories and photos that demonstrate that life at Roanoke has continued. A U.S. Supreme Court justice holds a virtual conversation with the College community. Students present research at national conferences, held via Zoom. Faculty move class instruction outdoors. Alumni connect through NOKELive events on YouTube.

Life is different. The world is different. Roanoke is different, for a time.

We persevere.