Showing Gratitude Through Song
In collaboration with NC State LIVE, performing artist Shana Tucker gave a special pop-up concert for NC State’s Student Health Center employees to thank them for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For employees at NC State’s Student Health Center, the 2020-2021 academic year has been challenging, to say the least. Today, NC State LIVE recognized them for all of their hard work with a special pop-up concert by local performing artist Shana Tucker.
“We really just wanted to say thank you,” said Sharon Moore, director of NC State LIVE. “Student Health Services Director Dr. Julie Casani and her entire team provided comfort, reassurance, expertise and level-headed guidance over the year, putting in untold hours on the front line responding to constantly shifting developments and keeping our students and entire campus community safe.”
As the academic year came to a close, Moore coordinated with Student Health Services and Tucker to set up the year-end celebration and concert.
“We’re delighted to be part of celebrating the valiant efforts of our colleagues by sharing a bit of joy through music,” Moore said. “We also want to acknowledge and recognize all of our dedicated colleagues on campus who have worked diligently and tirelessly for months to adapt, and then adapt again to constantly shifting protocols and demands, and we offer a sincere and enthusiastic thank you to all!”
Tucker, along with Murielle Elizéon and Tommy Noonan of Culture Mill, have served as artists in residence at NC State this year through NC State LIVE’s Social Justice Residency Program. During NC State LIVE’s 2020-2021 season, they have partnered with other local artists and activists to explore restorative justice issues, give voice to Black feminist artistry, guide community members in writing their own body stories, and help facilitate conversations across difference. Today’s concert was Tucker’s final performance for the season.
“This year has been challenging for everyone, especially for those in healthcare,” Tucker said. “My son is in college; he really struggled this past fall semester, learning remotely. When given the opportunity to return on campus, his first call was to Student Health to ask about policies and practices and how the university was keeping people safe. He talked to people like the folks at the NC State Student Health Center, and he was given enough information to feel safe and confident to come back and have a really successful spring semester.
“I know that NC State Student Health Center employees, from the very beginning, have been giving their all to keep students feeling comfortable and confident in their safety throughout the pandemic,” Tucker continued. “I’m really glad that my 2020-2021 social justice artist residency will end in a final performance giving thanks to people who are committed to the health and wellness of our students and the entire NC State community. Thank you, NC State Student Health Center!”
Julie Casani, director of Student Health Services, also expressed her gratitude to NC State LIVE for organizing the performance and for the work her staff has done this year.
“The team at Student Health has worked so hard,” Casani said. “Every day, they have been on site, seeing patients, innovating, adapting and doing tasks to keep testing, isolation and quarantine and, now, vaccinations going. Some of those tasks are things they never signed up for. And they did it all with a singular dedication, without complaining — mostly — even smiling and joking and sometimes, dancing to the music.
“It means a lot to everyone here to be noticed for it: the notes, the signs in the parking lot and now the generous offer of a performance just for them,” Casani continued. “Like everyone on campus we are healing, but we are also celebrating what we’ve accomplished and the hope for better times. I am so proud to be part of this team that is a true measure of the Wolfpack way.”
