It is finals week here at Marietta College, and we are starting to say goodbye. We say goodbye to a school year, to friends who we will greet again come August, to textbooks and papers (for now). But the thing that I am having a hard time facing is the goodbye to the senior class I am starting to make.
Perhaps it is finally being an upperclassman that makes me feel this way, but the graduation of the Class of 2012 from Marietta College is hitting me pretty hard. I know many of these seniors well, and it's hard for me to imagine going to college without these people. This is the largest class of students I have looked up to over my three years, and to see them leave creates an emptiness I can't describe.
I feel like these people have forged a path for me, and now I have to pick up where they collectively leave off. At times, I wonder how I am supposed to be a senior next year; where are these people going to be to inspire me and show me what to do? Why are they going away?
Call me sappy, but I am struggling to accept that so many people are going to leave. And these people are headed to do the most amazing things in the most amazing places. They are going to profoundly and positively influence so many people; it would be selfish to expect them to do any less. Maybe I get too emotionally attached...
And yet, the Class of 2012 is a powerful, dynamic and vibrant one. These are people who challenge the status quo, who work for the good of those around them, who do a job and do it well. These are the people who have helped make me who I am.
So, if you are a senior, congratulations. You have earned everything your exciting future will bring you, and more. I hope you will find success and enjoyment in your days to come and will look back fondly upon your days at Marietta College, or at least upon the friendships you made that ultimately made your experience what it was. Good luck in the beginning stages of your post-undergrad years; I know you will all do well and persevere in the face of challenges and obstacles that might enter into your path. And thank you, for being a friend to me, and leaving an impact on me that will not wash off or fade away. Thank you for showing me the way when I did not know it was there, and pushing me to reach higher than I ever would have reached. You are incredible people, and I will miss you.
-Connor
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Where You Go is Rarely Where You Thought You'd Ever Be
Three years ago I submitted my $200 registration deposit to Marietta College, begrudgingly. I had dreamed of attending several other colleges before Marietta, but financial security and the ability to row competitively ultimately led to my decision. On senior college declaration day, I wore a plain white t-shirt on which I drew the state of Ohio, wrote "MARIETTA COLLEGE" in the center, and put a little red star in the southeast corner. I could tell people that I was going to Marietta, but without much of the typical enthusiasm. That was three years ago.
Today, I find myself in a place I never expected. Three years in, and approaching my fourth and final one, I have made incredible friends, been through unbelievable experiences and learned important and unforgettable lessons. In simplest terms, I have found that I am proud to go to Marietta College. My new position as president-elect of the student body is the culmination of what I have made out of my experience at a college I hardly dreamed of attending. And as I undertake this new, huge role, I remember how I felt at the end of my senior year of high school and understand that is the way many students feel now; they are frustrated, concerned and far from proud of their alma mater. It can't continue.
There have been times in the past few weeks where I have thought that perhaps I was trying to campaign for too many things, where I wondered if my vision was too grand to tackle. Yet since the election I am determined to take on the challenges that students face or are concerned about most, and start moving us forward. I hope students can trust in Student Senate next year to work for them and to see concrete evidence to the work of our collective efforts. Dan, Caleb and I have heard a lot...and fortunately, so has the administration. I believe they will work with us to cultivate and environment where students feel that their concerns and issues matter, and where students will be proud to be members of the Long Blue Line.
That being said, we will need everyone's help. This is not the job of a 4-person executive board, but of 1,400 students. The diversity workshop this past week showed how important the commitment of each person is to making a significant change; so I hope people won't shy away from taking up the causes that matter to them most. I hope we have more people running for senator positions, attending Senate meetings simply for their own interest, reading the Senate minutes, starting more conversations with administrators and other students, working to leave their college in a better place than it is currently.
We do go to a good school. Morale is just low; people can take pride in going to a school where people care enough to say their piece at Student Speak Out, chalk their beliefs on the mall, run for Senate positions, or simply listen to a friend voice concerns. Even faculty are eager to work with us! We can build the collaboration, the positive attitudes, the pride of Marietta College. Did I ever see myself in this position? Not for a long time, no. But here we are, so let's take advantage of this great opportunity and make something great out of it!
I am inspired and honored by the confidence bestowed upon me by my peers through this election. I will do everything in my power not to let you down during my time as President. Chins up, MC. Chins up, and charge on!
Today, I find myself in a place I never expected. Three years in, and approaching my fourth and final one, I have made incredible friends, been through unbelievable experiences and learned important and unforgettable lessons. In simplest terms, I have found that I am proud to go to Marietta College. My new position as president-elect of the student body is the culmination of what I have made out of my experience at a college I hardly dreamed of attending. And as I undertake this new, huge role, I remember how I felt at the end of my senior year of high school and understand that is the way many students feel now; they are frustrated, concerned and far from proud of their alma mater. It can't continue.
There have been times in the past few weeks where I have thought that perhaps I was trying to campaign for too many things, where I wondered if my vision was too grand to tackle. Yet since the election I am determined to take on the challenges that students face or are concerned about most, and start moving us forward. I hope students can trust in Student Senate next year to work for them and to see concrete evidence to the work of our collective efforts. Dan, Caleb and I have heard a lot...and fortunately, so has the administration. I believe they will work with us to cultivate and environment where students feel that their concerns and issues matter, and where students will be proud to be members of the Long Blue Line.
That being said, we will need everyone's help. This is not the job of a 4-person executive board, but of 1,400 students. The diversity workshop this past week showed how important the commitment of each person is to making a significant change; so I hope people won't shy away from taking up the causes that matter to them most. I hope we have more people running for senator positions, attending Senate meetings simply for their own interest, reading the Senate minutes, starting more conversations with administrators and other students, working to leave their college in a better place than it is currently.
We do go to a good school. Morale is just low; people can take pride in going to a school where people care enough to say their piece at Student Speak Out, chalk their beliefs on the mall, run for Senate positions, or simply listen to a friend voice concerns. Even faculty are eager to work with us! We can build the collaboration, the positive attitudes, the pride of Marietta College. Did I ever see myself in this position? Not for a long time, no. But here we are, so let's take advantage of this great opportunity and make something great out of it!
I am inspired and honored by the confidence bestowed upon me by my peers through this election. I will do everything in my power not to let you down during my time as President. Chins up, MC. Chins up, and charge on!
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