Every semester poses unique challenges, and perhaps no challenge was more unique or important to our campus community than the recent campus closure in November. While our deepest sympathies are with the survivors of the Camp Fire in Butte County, we are also thankful for the quick actions of President Nelsen, and ABA staff professionals from our office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Collaboration between the President's Office and EHS helped determine when it was best to close the campus, and when it was safe to reopen.

The challenges posed by this event strained everyone within our campus community, including our faculty, staff, and students. I want to thank the ABA staff professionals who came in during the closure to keep the campus safe, and to ensure the campus maintained operations. I encourage everyone to read more about our dedicated staff in the latest Behind the Scenes feature, included in this newsletter.

ABA is filled with excellent staff professionals who consistently step up to meet the latest challenges, which is why I am so proud to mention how many of our offices and employees have recently been recognized by outside organizations for the work they do. From Parking Structure 5 to University Print, the pages of this newsletter demonstrate how much of an impact we have on the local community.

With the holidays just around the corner, that warm spirit of community comes naturally to ABA. I am so proud of our staff professionals for finding ways to help others, including those who recently donated to the ASI Food Panty during the November food drive, and those who supported the Josh's Heart charity. Stories about these efforts can be found in the Spirit of Giving section.

Despite the semester winding down, I know there are many of us still working to make a specific deadline or complete a major project, but this is also the season to reflect on one's annual accomplishments and connections. I enjoyed seeing everyone at our recent winter luncheon, and want to again congratulate all of our years of service recipients. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Thank you.