Mantella: 'Our work is worthy, it's essential and it's absolutely thrilling'

The address included remarks from Courtney Karasinski, chair of the University Academic Senate, who also acknowledged attendees including Board of Trustees Chair Beth Emmitt, President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas and Marcia Haas, faculty and staff members.

"This is always a special time filled with pride and anticipation as we welcome back our students and prepare to continue doing what we love," Karasinski said. "It is a privilege to be part of a university community that since its founding has always embraced collaboration and doing whatever it takes to help students succeed and help our school grow."

Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, closed the address by telling audience members, "Our work is powerful and our work is empowering." Then Drake, an English scholar, read by a poem, noting, "The more poetry the better; the more art, the better."

The poem by Alberto Álvaro Ríos is titled "Don't Go Into the Library," which is a tribute to the appeal of libraries. The poem ends:

"The library is dangerous, full

Of answers. If you go inside,

You may not come out

The same person who went in."