The End Is Near
Although knowing that my UD experience is coming to an end is very sad, celebrating the journey has been very exciting. Ending my student teaching with a generous party put on my by class, completing an Honors Thesis, going to Senior Prom, and planning for graduation has been rewarding on so many levels.
Monday night, Carin Andrews, Campus Visit Coordinator at the Office of Admissions, had the entire tour guide staff over to her home to celebrate the conclusion of another successful year and to say goodbye to the graduating seniors. Every year they show a slideshow of pictures of the graduates in their younger years and share memories provided by their parents. The Admissions Office also gives its graduates a beautiful diploma frame, an extremely appropriate gift, as they know the pride we will take in our education and experiences here.
On Tuesday, I stayed home from school to finish writing my thesis which was due two Friday's ago. It's a good thing we have professors who care about their students and their sanity. Research for my thesis has lasted over two years and the experiences that completing it has provided me with have been phenomenal. Only moments ago did I finish writing the last section of my thesis, and not until Monday morning when I turn it in will this writing journey end.
On Wednesday, my fifth grade students and cooperating teacher threw me a Graduation Party. These students, most of whom have nothing, brought in hundreds of school supplies for me to use in my classroom next year. I left Wednesday with a plastic tub as big as my trunk full of school supplies and classroom decorations. My cooperating teacher made me a scrap book filled with unforgettable memories and letters from each of my students, in which they described events they remembered throughout the year. Wow, what an amazing experience I have had this year. I couldn't have been luckier than to have such a motivating and inspiring cooperating teacher with who I taught an incredible group of kind and compassionate students.
On Friday, the Admissions Office treated its graduating employees to a delicious lunch at Franco's, an Italian Restaurant in the Oregon District. I'm sure I've said it before, but having a job on campus has been one of the best decisions I have made. Although it may not have been the decision that provided the largest paycheck, it was the decision that has given me yet another family on campus, another community to belong. Senior Prom was also on Friday. The Student Government Association (SGA) organized this amazing event for us. They set up a tent in KU green space. Tickets were only 5 dollars a person and the food and drinks there were delicious. We had so much fun singing and dancing the night away. What an awesome celebration!
Today, the tour guides were invited to Dr. Curran's home for lunch. He and his wife were so welcoming of us and provided us with such hospitality. While we were there, talking to his family and taking silly pictures in his backyard, I couldn't help but say aloud, "This is what UD is all about". It's about family, it's about laughing and it's about being in a community where faculty, staff, administration, and students share common bonds that affect each of them for the rest of their lives. I don't know of any friends at other Universities and Colleges that have that kind of relationship and community with their professors, let alone the President of the University. Every time I talk with Dr. Curran, the thing that is most impressive to me as a student, is his genuine interest and concern for the students of the University. I can't even think of the right words to describe how that makes me feel. To know that the President of your University, truly cares about you, your UD experience and your future, one student out of thousands, is so inspiring. UD is about family, and today Dr. Dan and his wife invited us into their home as they would their family.
That's not even all of it. There is still so much to come in the upcoming week. At a time that, in the scheme of things, can be so sad, I have been having the time of my life with people I love, to celebrate every last minute.
Apr 29, 2006 11:34 PM
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