Banquet

"Two years ago, we both applied to UGA and hoped to be accepted. I did not choose you and you did not choose me, but, goodness! How the universe conspired for us! Had we known all of the struggles we would endure. The doubt, the frustration, the anger, the miscommunication, the surprises, would we still have taken that step? If I had known what would come to pass 6 months after coming here, would I have taken this job? Dear students, there will be days when you will struggle. There will be days when you will say the wrong things to the wrong people. There will be days when you wonder if you have really done anything at all that served a need or created a change. On those days, and they will happen, I want you to be patient with yourself, with your colleagues, with your students. I want you to remember the people who walk with you tonight, the moments when you advocated for your fellow students, the times you asked a question that led us and the class down a better path. I want you to remember the days when just being present was a saving grace. Although you may think that you have not made a difference, know that you did in the smallest and kindest of ways, for you helped to save this profesora when she needed you the most. On those hardest of days, I want you to think of those moments and know that you are valued and loved. Always. So to answer my own question: Yes, yes I would. You must take a chance because even if you struggle, there are little miracles that can happen. I do not know what the future holds for you or for me, but I know that you will not just be UGA, you will be more than UGA. You will exceed our highest expectations not just in the profession, but as people. So go forth, dear students, and make us proud."
- La Profesora

The remarks above are snippets from the keynote address delivered at last night's banquet to honor the graduating class delivered by one of my professors. We nominated and voted to select her as our keynote knowing no one else could do justice to the two years we spent together with La Profesora. She challenged and supported, but mainly challenged us through three of our academic courses, started her journey when we did as a new professor and allowed us to be her champions and support team when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34. She's a remarkably strong and resilient woman and I will never forget the lessons she's taught me both inside and outside the classroom.

The banquet was a truly amazing event. We celebrated with faculty, colleagues, the doctoral and masters students and recognized the accomplishments of those over the course of the year. I was honored and humbled to receive two awards last night. First, I was recognized for receiving the highest score on our comprehensive exams. I was shocked! The second award, which is more meaningful is the Ted K. Miller award for Outstanding Masters Student. It's given in honor of the founder of our program and a guru in the field and every master's students votes on the graduating student they believe best embodies the spirit of our program. There was a tie this year and I was truly honored to be selected as one of the two recipients. The second recipient, my roommate! Here's us below accepting the award from our professor.


It was a great evening indeed and brings us just one step closer to graduation! Cheers.