By Dr. Mary A. Papazian

Today, November 7, 2020, is an historic day for the United States and for the democratic principles we hold dear.

In addition to electing the nation’s 46th president, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., we will now have – for the very first time – a woman holding the second highest office in the land. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, is, of course, a Californian and Bay Area native, and her Jamaican and Asian Indian ancestry symbolizes the rich diversity and possibilities of our nation.

The electorate should be proud that the two presidential candidates, collectively, received the most votes ever tabulated in a U.S. election. This is all the more impressive given the challenges posed by the pandemic, and it speaks volumes about our ability to engage in civic and political matters we find important. I am appreciative of the efforts of our campus election programming to be inclusive of all of our communities, including those who are not eligible or unable to vote.

As I noted in my message earlier this week, much work remains to address the nation’s divisions in a way that allows all of our communities to prosper and thrive. President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, I am confident, will work hard to make our democratic principles and institutions even stronger than they proved to be this week.

Congratulations again to all of those in the SJSU community, particularly our students, who have been so active and engaged throughout this election cycle. It truly has been inspiring.