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“Dear Irvin”
A Note From Your Faculty Advisor, Bill Syrett
Spring 2022
Dear Irvin Hall residents:
I will keep this short since most of you have already been blessed with reading my Fall 2021 letter and nothing has really changed since then. But, if you don’t know anything about me, and are curious, you can read the next-to-last paragraph for the high points.
I am glad that Penn State opted for in-person classes this semester and hope that continues—I hope you feel the same. Do your part to stay healthy, and take the same care in helping others do the same. That’s more than half the COVID-19 battle, and although it seems like a struggle that may never end, if you think about what we’ve learned about the disease since early 2020, we have come a long way in under 2 years. The virus has behaved as we were warned it would, we’ve learned much more about how best to protect ourselves from it, and through the wonders of science, which we all appreciate, we have vaccines that have been proven to greatly reduce the risk of serious illness. We are adapting and we are learning.
Likewise, when times get tough here at Penn State, whether due to COVID-19 or some other reason, Irvin adapts and learns, and I am very proud of how this living, learning community has responded to the many challenges of the past couple years. I have no doubt that when we work as a community we’ll be much better prepared to face what lies ahead! Take advantage of it, and make this a great semester!
A few facts about me…
I grew up in Bristol, Connecticut and have been a “weather weenie” (yes, I’m one of THEM) since age 5. I received my B.S. in Meteorology at Penn State in the winter of 1983 and lived in Pinchot Hall (East Halls), but had many friends in Irvin. I then earned an M.S. here in Meteo and have worked in both research and teaching since 1987. I think Penn State is a fantastic institution, and our college, which truly is much more student-friendly than most, is the best on campus. I hope that I will be able to eventually help you feel the same way if you don’t already.
Again, I’m excited to be involved with Irvin and please write or stop by and visit if you ever feel that I could be of service to any of you. Keep up with your work, find that perfect balance between academics and activities, and do your best. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Bill Syrett
Associate Teaching Professor in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
Manager, Joel N. Myers Weather Center
Irvin Hall Living/Learning Community Faculty Adviser
wjs1@psu.edu
