First ImpressionsApril
29, 2009
Though it comes as no surprise, as graduation quickly approaches I find
myself reflecting a lot on how I’ve grown and changed. My friends and I
have spent procrastinating hours over the past month or so talking about
the past four years. When I came to Monmouth College, I knew no one. Two
older students from my high school were here, but other than that, I was
completely on my own. I didn’t come with a best friend from high school,
so it was entirely up to me to find friends. One conversation a group of
my friends and I have continuously had over the past few weeks has been
about our first impressions and encounters with each other. It’s very
entertaining to hear what my now very dear friend first thought of me.
I’ve never really experienced making all new friends before. I grew up
in the same town as my parents, and I had known most all of my close
friends since we were in diapers or at least first learning to read.
Looking back to my freshman year, I can’t help but laugh at how wrong I
was in thinking about some of my fellow freshmen. I’ve also learned that
some of their impressions of me were also wrong. I’m truly grateful that
I was wrong and gave some of these folks a second chance, or perhaps a
third, for they are some of my dearest friends without whom I cannot
imagine my Monmouth College experience. As I prepare to leave, I find
comfort knowing that I have this family of friends supporting me who I
made on my own. It makes the thought of making more new friends easier
to bear.
Music to my earsApril
22, 2009
Silly as it sounds, I often remember my Matriculation ceremony, held on
a very hot and humid Saturday, four Augusts ago. While I may not
remember all the folks who spoke or who I was sitting next to, though I
do remember being squished, the standout memory for me was the bagpipes.
As they led us towards Wallace Hall, playing “Scotland the Brave” I
remember thinking “This is going to be a long four years if I have to
listen to these things all the time.” Little did I know that I, along
with all Monmouth College students, would quickly become entranced and
enthralled by the sound of bagpipes. I love walking across campus and
hearing someone practice in a residence hall. MC students are inspired
and enthused whenever they lead the Fighting Scots football team onto
the field. Some rival schools may poke fun at what they think are silly
traditions, but we know that kilts and tartans and bagpipes will always
hold a special place in our hearts as MC students. Having celebrated my
last Founder’s Day, I found myself awake early in the hopes of actually
hearing the bagpipes traipse through the residence halls to wake
students. I wish I had that sort of alarm everyday. A Monmouth College
education is not complete without cheers at the sound of them or tears
at the start of “Amazing Grace.”
Support SystemsApril
18, 2009
It is amazing the different sorts of people you meet when you attend
college. I love learning of the remarkable hidden talents my friends
possess. Music is often the hidden talent you learn of that the student
next to you in class is best at. I think that has been one of my
favorite things about going to a small, liberal arts college. Students
who have tremendous talent in playing the viola, or percussion, or
singing, or even in theatre or the visual arts are able to continue
creating while also becoming scholars in perhaps a different field. At
Monmouth, a star on the football field can sit first chair in the
orchestra, and a freshman can take the lead role in the musical. It’s in
the beauty of attending a small school that I find myself always
learning and always appreciating the many talents of peers and
professors. I’ve learned to appreciate people more because of my time
here. And I’ve found that by supporting my friends in their musical or
art or random endeavors, I in turn have gained more support than I could
have ever imagined. Sometimes it really is the showing up that matters
most. Taking the time to stop by the Monmouth vs. Knox baseball game or
tennis match, sporting your red gear, or cheering on your friends as
they create art out of what others see as garbage can mean the world to
them. My fours years here have been richer because I’ve taken the time
to support my friends and classmates, and I hope my peers feel the same.
Thankful for sisterhoodApril
6, 2009
One thing I thought I would never do when I first came to college was
join a sorority. I was skeptical and fearful that sorority life at
Monmouth College would liken itself to sorority life on MTV and in
movies. However, I very soon learned that I was very wrong. Perhaps it’s
because we don’t live in ritzy houses; instead, we’re interspersed
throughout the residence halls able to get to know everyone in and
outside of our own sorority. It could also be that it’s the Midwest and
our values are simple, yet strong, compared to life on the West coast.
Those are just some of my theories, I could be wrong though.
Nonetheless, I waited a semester before I showed interest in joining a
sorority, but once I did, I never looked back. The historian in me
reveled in the fact that I was a part of something much bigger than
myself that ten women in 1893 desired to create. I wonder everyday if
they knew that their secret planning and hopes for the bonds of
sisterhood would transcend time and last over 100 years? I only had a
brother, so the idea of sisterhood was new to me. But I am extremely
thankful for the unique and passionate women I have met while a member
of Alpha Xi Delta. These women whom I call sisters have taught me
countless lessons of perseverance, compassion, and leadership. I have
learned that the bonds of sisterhood really can keep you afloat. When I
joined as a freshman, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but
I can proudly say that I would not be the person I am today were it not
for my sisters. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t
change a thing.
Dorm memoriesApril 2, 2009
As the year winds down, students who are not graduating find themselves
getting excited about where they’re going to live next year and what
classes they are going to take. I remember getting very nervous about
figuring out what classes to take. As I was talking with friends about
course registration, I found myself wishing I could take some of the
courses that are being offered next year. However, I quickly pinched
myself to remind me that I’ll soon be registering for classes elsewhere
for graduate school. I will also have to figure out where I’ll be
living, this time with many more options available to me other than the
four all-female residence halls and three co-ed halls. Attending a
residential college has been a great experience for me. While living in
a residence hall with 100+ other women can be stressful, my experiences
living with my peers are some of my favorite memories. Finding someone
to share good news with, study with, vent to, and just be silly with is
never hard to find while living in a dorm. Pow-wows in lounges and
friends’ rooms to watch movies and eat too pizza is very typical to
college students. I think back to how much junk I brought my first year
at college. My parents' van was full! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve
minimized somewhat, but still realize that I always bring far too many
clothes and things that aren’t really necessities. Oh well! Come May, I
will have to find enough boxes to store all of these things before I
venture to my next home. I don’t think I could find enough boxes to
store all the memories though.
Families formedMarch
31, 2009When I was trying to decide
what college to attend four years ago, I knew that I wanted to go
someplace where I would be able to get involved with activities similar
to the ones I participated with in high school. Primarily, I was
thinking about choir and theatre. Fortunately for me, I think I chose
the right place. While at Monmouth, I have participated in almost every
form of choir, from concert choir, to women’s choir, and the Chorale.
After taking some time off, I find myself back in the Chorale for my
final semester, and I couldn’t be happier. Four times a week, for one
hour, a group of talented students who love to sing as much as I do
gather in the basement of Dahl Chapel for rehearsal. While I love the
singing part, the friendships I’ve made in these groups make the
rehearsals and sometimes loss of voice well worth it. My group of
friends have become a family, eating dinner together each night after
rehearsal. I always look forward to sharing my day and hearing how my
friends’ days were.
Another place in which families also form is in the theatre. Having
participated in all sorts of plays and musicals in high school, I was
looking forward to participating in college, and I’ve done just that.
While the musicals were my favorite, I’ve also acted in a one-act and
the community Christmas show, A Christmas Carol. The one thing that I
love about Theatre at Monmouth is that anyone and everyone can get
involved in some way or another- a Theatre major is not a requirement to
audition and act and participate. With this, the casts introduce all
sorts of different people to one another, leading to many lasting
friendships and wonderful memories.
Here come the memoriesMarch
24, 2009I have never really been a
fan of sentimentality, however, this update is going to be a tad
sentimental for I have just placed an order for a graduation cap and
gown. As I filled out the
form, hoping I won’t get a gown that’s too long and I won’t trip over it
as I walk across the stage in May, thoughts of the past four years came
flooding in. Most of the
memories were those of people.
People whom I would have never met had I not come to Monmouth
College. I believe that my
life would much less bright without these people.
Many ask what I’ll miss most here and I can firmly say that it
will be the people. I chose
to come to Monmouth College four years ago because I fell in love with
the campus and the friendly folks I met made me feel welcome here.
Monmouth has truly become my home and I look forward to keeping
in touch with those who have impacted my life on and off campus.
I know there will be a large hole in my life when I
leave because of my family at Faith United Presbyterian.
Finding a place to worship and people like them who attend will
be tough match. They
welcomed me in, encouraged my singing, taught me many lessons, and never
ceased to give me a hard time or make me laugh.
Some weeks I lived for Sundays knowing that I would be
worshipping and singing with such lovely people.
I also know that I’ll miss the kind people who welcome the
college students with arms wide open.
I think back to the Freshman Walk-Out, oh so many days ago on
very hot August day in 2005.
I was introduced to many businesses and soon after found favorite places
to dine and take my family to when they visited.
A family favorite quickly became Monmouth Soda Works.
As I look at how I’ve spent my time here I only hope that my
fellow graduating seniors have also taken full advantage of what this
quaint, prospering community has to offer us as we strive to make
something of ourselves.
Sorry for the sappiness.
Making Space for GraceMarch 16, 2009
College life can get pretty hectic. Some weeks it will seem like all
of your professors conspire to schedule papers, presentations and
tests all due at the same time. Though sharp time management and
organization skills are a must for every college student, it is also
good to find some sort of outlet for stress, or a way to re-center
yourself. For me, I find the best way to start my week off is at
Space for Grace, or campus chapel. Mondays at 12:10 - 12:40 a group
of students, faculty, staff, and even community members gather in
Dahl Chapel for worship, song and prayer. This year, various student
organizations sponsored a chapel service, with students leading
songs, prayers, and even giving the message for the service. I’ve
done this a few times and it was certainly a learning experience
like none other. Space for Grace is a comfortable and welcoming
place to take break to reflect and relax from our hectic days as
college students, especially as the end of the semester is quickly
approaching.
Learning more about MonmouthMarch 12, 2009
Though the sun has finally graced us with its presence, we are no longer
outside, but working inside cleaning and painting, and still getting
dirty. For our third day of
work our group traveled the few blocks away from campus to downtown
Monmouth to spend the day helping at the Buchanan Center for the Arts.
An older building that once served as the public library, as well
as a department store, now is home to a space for art exhibits, looms,
and room for children to learn drama and improvisation.
We found ourselves cleaning up a large upstairs room full of old
costumes, Christmas decorations and an overall odd assortment of things,
including belongings to the Center’s benefactor, Grace Buchanan.
The historian and archivist in me most enjoyed finding her recipe
cards and grade school certificates, as well some of her own artwork.
Hopefully, these items can be put into a display so others can
learn more about her. The
space in which we worked would be great for youth to work with art
supplies among many other things.
Today, we also worked in a place that will offer
much to Monmouth’s youth – the newly opened 1st Street
Armory. I had the pleasure
of touring this large facility last year, and the work that has been put
into fixing the place up to make it usable is astounding.
The facility, once owned by the National Guard, includes a full
gymnasium, many classrooms, and a large basement that is being turned
into a youth center. Open
for kids on Friday nights, “The Gate,” as it’s known, has video games,
music, and food. Local
churches are also chipping in, providing a youth Bible study on Sunday
nights. Our tasks for the
day and for Friday are painting and cleaning.
This facility will hopefully open doors for ways in which
Monmouth College students can get involved with Monmouth’s youth,
perhaps through tutoring or mentoring programs.
I am somewhat sad that I won’t be around to work with Armory, but
knowing that that youth of Monmouth will have a safe environment in
which to hang out and just be makes me extremely happy.
'Alternative Spring Break' - Monmouth style!
March 10, 2009
Spring break for many often brings to mind thoughts of the beach, warmth, and
escaping from Monmouth. For a group of eight students, however, those thoughts
were not on the radar screen when planning what to do over spring break.
Instead, these students have decided to stay in Monmouth, helping out the
community that gives much and deserves much. Our week has started off
splendidly. Despite the cooler air and battling rain, our group has worked at
Rainbow Riders for the past two days.
For those who don’t know, Rainbow Riders is a Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Center located just outside of Monmouth. Children with disabilities spend their
summer days on horseback, benefiting greatly from such a wonderful experience.
Painting, cleaning out the barn, and other odd jobs were on our list of
“chores.” However, the most time was spent working with lumber to build frames
for a new Sensory Trail that will greatly add to what Rainbow Riders has to
offer the community. In total, our group cleaned, stained, and put together six
frames that will be placed along a new trail for riders to use to engage all of
their senses. Typically, larger centers have a trail such as this, so this
addition will help set apart the Monmouth Rainbow Riders Center and offer new
experiences for the riders. Knowing that we are helping provide something unique
for many children makes the mud, and dust, and hard work all well worth it. Thus
far, our time this week has been well spent and I can’t wait to see what the
rest of the week holds.