It was early on in my college career that I first heard a quote from UC alumnus Bill Keating Jr., that I later found out he spoke during his receipt of the UC Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2013. At the time, I didn’t understand why the quote stuck with me so strongly.
He said, “If you want to get a degree, go to class; if you want to get an education, go to college.”
It’s a powerful statement really, and I think that has something to do with why I hold onto it so tightly. And as the direction I believed I would take in my college years becomes further and further from the truth, Keating Jr.’s words bring me comfort in the experiences I have and the path I am on.
My first year at UC has challenged me and propelled my growth in ways I would have never predicted, and there are many experiences to which I can attribute that growth.
The first I’d like to speak about is actually an opportunity I was given through the University Honors Program: the LeaderShape Institute. My reflection detailing LeaderShape can be found here: http://jeffback.weebly.com/the-leadershape-institute.html.
But I’ll admit that my reflection as it stands does the retreat very little justice. In the six months since writing it, I’ve had ample time to reflect even more deeply on the experience, and take greater action steps to realize the potential I discovered at LeaderShape.
In short, LeaderShape was that catalyst that triggered another of my most significant events from this year, my academic switch of major. Over the course of the year, beginning sometime during fall semester, I began to feel that industrial design was not the right fit to help me achieve my academic, personal and professional goals.
With that, LeaderShape served as a chance for me to sit down and deeply consider my own passions and vision for the world. In that experience, I discovered the following—I want to do things during my lifetime that inspire others to discover and pursue their own passions.
He said, “If you want to get a degree, go to class; if you want to get an education, go to college.”
It’s a powerful statement really, and I think that has something to do with why I hold onto it so tightly. And as the direction I believed I would take in my college years becomes further and further from the truth, Keating Jr.’s words bring me comfort in the experiences I have and the path I am on.
My first year at UC has challenged me and propelled my growth in ways I would have never predicted, and there are many experiences to which I can attribute that growth.
The first I’d like to speak about is actually an opportunity I was given through the University Honors Program: the LeaderShape Institute. My reflection detailing LeaderShape can be found here: http://jeffback.weebly.com/the-leadershape-institute.html.
But I’ll admit that my reflection as it stands does the retreat very little justice. In the six months since writing it, I’ve had ample time to reflect even more deeply on the experience, and take greater action steps to realize the potential I discovered at LeaderShape.
In short, LeaderShape was that catalyst that triggered another of my most significant events from this year, my academic switch of major. Over the course of the year, beginning sometime during fall semester, I began to feel that industrial design was not the right fit to help me achieve my academic, personal and professional goals.
With that, LeaderShape served as a chance for me to sit down and deeply consider my own passions and vision for the world. In that experience, I discovered the following—I want to do things during my lifetime that inspire others to discover and pursue their own passions.
Following LeaderShape, I began to take the action steps necessary for switching my major. I didn’t know what major to pick, and many options ran through my head. I spoke with many advisors, mentors and friends who have helped me through the process.
As the spring semester progressed, I grew closer and closer to reaching a decision, and narrowed my focus until I decided to write my own proposal for an Interdisciplinary Studies degree within the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences.
This journey I’ve embarked on to switch my major is one I never would have predicted for myself entering college, but I am thrilled to be taking it. By choosing to design my own program of study, I’ve committed to making my education, and my UC experience, highly personal.
And to me, that’s what college is all about. That’s why I find such solace in Bill’s words. I always have separated my involvements and my education, but it’s so much more refreshing to see the two seamlessly blend together.
This insight has proven to be one of the most influential for me this year—my academic endeavors can coexist with and enhance my passions and pursuits.
As the spring semester progressed, I grew closer and closer to reaching a decision, and narrowed my focus until I decided to write my own proposal for an Interdisciplinary Studies degree within the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences.
This journey I’ve embarked on to switch my major is one I never would have predicted for myself entering college, but I am thrilled to be taking it. By choosing to design my own program of study, I’ve committed to making my education, and my UC experience, highly personal.
And to me, that’s what college is all about. That’s why I find such solace in Bill’s words. I always have separated my involvements and my education, but it’s so much more refreshing to see the two seamlessly blend together.
This insight has proven to be one of the most influential for me this year—my academic endeavors can coexist with and enhance my passions and pursuits.
One last experience that has been the most significant for me this year is joining my fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon. I rank this experience as one of my most influential not only for the growth it provided me, but also because it is something I did not expect to do in college.
My fraternity experience has allowed me the opportunity to grow tremendously as a leader. I am currently serving on the executive board of the chapter, and this is the first executive board role I have served on in college. I have been able to attend a national Greek Life conference and will attend another Greek Life leadership workshop this July. I believe strongly in the mission of Greek Life, which is something I had never expected before entering college.
Along the way, I have also had the opportunity to develop many, many significant relationships with peers, mentors and professionals in all walks of life. However, there are two that stand out in particular in my mind.
This year I have had the tremendous opportunity to develop a relationship with Dr. Santa Ono, and I cannot underscore enough what this relationship has meant to me. Dr. Ono has provided me the opportunity to attend UC, to work in his office as a student associate, and the resources I’d never imagined having access to as a first-year college student.
Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Ono asked me what I wanted to do after graduation. I mentioned the Teach for America program as an interesting option, and Dr. Ono immediately pulled out his phone and called a friend who has worked for the program. From that, I was able to discuss TFA with Dr. Ono’s friend, and develop a relationship with him as well.
This is only a small view into the opportunities Dr. Ono has given me, but I am honored and privileged to call him a mentor and friend.
Another relationship that has stood out to me this year is with an engineering professor, Greg Sizemore. By all accounts, there is no reason for Greg and I to know each other. I am not an engineer. But by fate, I must assume, I was introduced to him and he has served as a key mentor for me, even in only the few times we have met. The first time I was introduced to him, Greg spoke at a meeting for a group I was in, the First-Year Leadership Program. Following his presentation, we spoke privately for nearly two hours, and I knew at that moment he would be a significant relationship for me during my collegiate career. I hope that he will accept my request to serve as a faculty advisor for my Interdisciplinary Studies program and proposal.
If there is one area in which I have changed or grown the most this year, it is in my comfort with the unknown. I decided to major in industrial design in the 8th grade. For five years, that was the assumption under which I operated in junior high and high school. It was the assumption that determined where I would apply and, inevitably, attend school.
It took less than a year for me to change my mind.
Before this year, I was ready to answer questions about my future with specific goals, plans and locations on command. Now, my answers to those questions leave others either inspired and in awe or in absolute confusion—the latter probably outweighs the former. But I am incredibly surprised by my comfort in this.
I listened to a commencement address by Australian Renaissance man Tim Minchin a few months ago, and I found one piece of his advice particularly applicable to this point. He spoke strongly about not having long-term goals. And while I’m still not sure if I entirely subscribe to the idea, I found the following quote exceptionally thought-inducing:
“The next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery. If you focus too far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out in the corner of your eye.”
My fraternity experience has allowed me the opportunity to grow tremendously as a leader. I am currently serving on the executive board of the chapter, and this is the first executive board role I have served on in college. I have been able to attend a national Greek Life conference and will attend another Greek Life leadership workshop this July. I believe strongly in the mission of Greek Life, which is something I had never expected before entering college.
Along the way, I have also had the opportunity to develop many, many significant relationships with peers, mentors and professionals in all walks of life. However, there are two that stand out in particular in my mind.
This year I have had the tremendous opportunity to develop a relationship with Dr. Santa Ono, and I cannot underscore enough what this relationship has meant to me. Dr. Ono has provided me the opportunity to attend UC, to work in his office as a student associate, and the resources I’d never imagined having access to as a first-year college student.
Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Ono asked me what I wanted to do after graduation. I mentioned the Teach for America program as an interesting option, and Dr. Ono immediately pulled out his phone and called a friend who has worked for the program. From that, I was able to discuss TFA with Dr. Ono’s friend, and develop a relationship with him as well.
This is only a small view into the opportunities Dr. Ono has given me, but I am honored and privileged to call him a mentor and friend.
Another relationship that has stood out to me this year is with an engineering professor, Greg Sizemore. By all accounts, there is no reason for Greg and I to know each other. I am not an engineer. But by fate, I must assume, I was introduced to him and he has served as a key mentor for me, even in only the few times we have met. The first time I was introduced to him, Greg spoke at a meeting for a group I was in, the First-Year Leadership Program. Following his presentation, we spoke privately for nearly two hours, and I knew at that moment he would be a significant relationship for me during my collegiate career. I hope that he will accept my request to serve as a faculty advisor for my Interdisciplinary Studies program and proposal.
If there is one area in which I have changed or grown the most this year, it is in my comfort with the unknown. I decided to major in industrial design in the 8th grade. For five years, that was the assumption under which I operated in junior high and high school. It was the assumption that determined where I would apply and, inevitably, attend school.
It took less than a year for me to change my mind.
Before this year, I was ready to answer questions about my future with specific goals, plans and locations on command. Now, my answers to those questions leave others either inspired and in awe or in absolute confusion—the latter probably outweighs the former. But I am incredibly surprised by my comfort in this.
I listened to a commencement address by Australian Renaissance man Tim Minchin a few months ago, and I found one piece of his advice particularly applicable to this point. He spoke strongly about not having long-term goals. And while I’m still not sure if I entirely subscribe to the idea, I found the following quote exceptionally thought-inducing:
“The next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery. If you focus too far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out in the corner of your eye.”
And with that, I’ll be moving into my second year at UC this fall. I’m still not sure whether I’ll spend three, four or five years here—and I’m OK with that until I decide in the fall. But as I move forward, I’ve learned a few things that will make my experience at UC more fruitful, enjoyable and transformative.
The first is one on which I’ve already touched: to ensure that the things I’m doing in all aspects of my life (academically, personally and professionally) are in line with the things I enjoy, love and am passionate about.
Further, there’s one piece of advice that I think is universal, but quite often overlooked and tossed aside at the hustle and bustle of life.
There is a learning opportunity in everything and everyone. Not everything you do will be great and make you happy, nor will every person. But every experience and every person is great in some way, and offers something uniquely awesome. And if I look for those things on a daily basis, I will learn more and enjoy more.
Moving forward, there are three steps I need to take to continue the growth I’ve experienced this year. The first is to write my academic proposal for my new major. The process for this is an arduous one, where I am required to hand-select every course and experience I will take during my undergraduate career in pursuit of my degree. I am excited for this opportunity, because it will be nice to have a more definitive plan for the experiences I’d like to have as a student at UC.
Second, I would like to apply for the Spring 2015 honors study tour to Tanzania. In reading the course description, I am absolutely thrilled by the concept of the course. It is an experience I want to take part in very badly, and I hope that everything works out to make the course a reality for me.
Finally, I need to begin writing on a regular basis. Writing is an activity that I did a lot in high school, and I find a lot of power in the written word. As I embark on this new journey during my undergraduate career, I want to do my best to document the ideas and experiences I have so that I am better able to reflect upon them, share them, and use them to make the world a better place.
The first is one on which I’ve already touched: to ensure that the things I’m doing in all aspects of my life (academically, personally and professionally) are in line with the things I enjoy, love and am passionate about.
Further, there’s one piece of advice that I think is universal, but quite often overlooked and tossed aside at the hustle and bustle of life.
There is a learning opportunity in everything and everyone. Not everything you do will be great and make you happy, nor will every person. But every experience and every person is great in some way, and offers something uniquely awesome. And if I look for those things on a daily basis, I will learn more and enjoy more.
Moving forward, there are three steps I need to take to continue the growth I’ve experienced this year. The first is to write my academic proposal for my new major. The process for this is an arduous one, where I am required to hand-select every course and experience I will take during my undergraduate career in pursuit of my degree. I am excited for this opportunity, because it will be nice to have a more definitive plan for the experiences I’d like to have as a student at UC.
Second, I would like to apply for the Spring 2015 honors study tour to Tanzania. In reading the course description, I am absolutely thrilled by the concept of the course. It is an experience I want to take part in very badly, and I hope that everything works out to make the course a reality for me.
Finally, I need to begin writing on a regular basis. Writing is an activity that I did a lot in high school, and I find a lot of power in the written word. As I embark on this new journey during my undergraduate career, I want to do my best to document the ideas and experiences I have so that I am better able to reflect upon them, share them, and use them to make the world a better place.