A new semester, a new beginning for all of us
August 20, 2010
I’d like to tell you about Nick.
Recently Nick stopped by the Office of Student Life to say good-bye. It wasn’t a “forever” good-bye. Nick is leaving UW-Green Bay to teach. He is ending his time as a UW-Green Bay undergrad and beginning a new phase of life as an education professional. This new UWGB alum is set to begin what may become a lifetime of influencing young people’s lives. (How awesome is that?!)
It was hard for Nick to walk away from this place, but I don’t think he would have it any other way. Nick made the most of his college years. In his final semester, he co-led the University Ambassadors and worked in the Dean of Students Office, among other things. The campus impacted him, and he impacted the campus.
So, I’d like to say to new students arriving to campus for your first semester, look for and make the most of the many opportunities available to you. Look at posters, read the weekly Campus Life Events blog, and listen to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who tell you what not to miss, like OrgSmorg, Max U. Day, soccer team matches, and UWGB Nites. You can continue your high school interests and/or explore new ones. Ballroom dancing? Organic gardening? Wall climbing?
For returning students, remember that each semester is a new beginning. You may be looking forward to conducting research with a faculty member, studying abroad, or interning. However, like new students, you may also want to tap into new interests. Walk around OrgSmorg with a first-year student’s perspective. What would you like to try before you graduate?
You may have heard from friends and family that “college is what you make of it.” It’s true. It can be an amazing ride. Memorable, life changing. Give it all you’ve got.
If you do, you, like Nick, will probably be a little sad when you leave. And, like Nick, it’ll take you at least a couple of days (if not longer!) to walk around campus saying good-bye to all of the students, staff, and faculty you’ve met and connected with.
I so hope that you have that experience because, in fact, all of the people you’ll be leaving aren’t really gone: they’re lifelong friends, supporters, colleagues. We’re all cheering for Nick and looking forward to his visits to campus, so that we can hear the great things he has experienced since UWGB…and perhaps because of UWGB, at least in part.
If you see your college experience as limitless, it will be.
See you again soon, Nick.
Filed under: Character, First-year students, Involvement, Leading and following, Seniors, Uncategorized
Tagged: accomplishments, Alumni, Character, First-year students, Involvement, Leadership
We’re excited about the new freshman class and can’t wait for Orientation to begin. Best wishes to Kyle! If he has any questions about oppportunities to get involved at UWGB, send him our way (Student Life, 150 University Union). Thanks for writing!
What a nice way to recognize a stand-out student. I’m excited for my incoming freshman, who was very involved in high school. Who knows? Maybe, in a few years, you’ll be mentioning Kyle in a post