DCX love.
I wrapped up my final training this evening with my students culminating a semester long journey to prepare them for camp this summer and said farewell to the five students I've worked weekly with to prepare for DCX (Dawg Camp 2010) since the beginning of September. It feels like just yesterday we were having our fall kick-off retreat in my apartment and I was learning the basics about them: majors, hometowns, siblings, interests, leadership styles, etc. Tonight, I gave each of them a quotable card that I felt best represented their personalities and my hopes for them. I wrote each of them a note thanking them for their involvement and passion for the program, for the incredibly demanding and overwhelming roles they accepted to ensure the program's success but most importantly, thanking them for the impact they've had on my life as an advisor and as a person.
Tonight, I addressed the 42 student staff with my appreciation for their involvement with the program and charged them with being genuine, authentic, transparent, and present with the incoming first year students this summer. I spoke about my own transition to college, the resources and mentors I wish I had had to make the transition easier and how proud I was of them. I told them that prior to coming to graduate school, there wasn't much I could say about the students at UGA that I could ground in fact but in leaving, I will forever speak about my students with pride and affection for I truly do believe that these students will change our tomorrow for the better. I've never worked with a brighter, more passionate, more driven group of individuals.
Tonight, I told the students that when I accepted my position a little over two years ago, I did so believing I had a lot to offer Dawg Camp and believing I could impact the program. What I didn't realize two years ago was how much the program and the students connected with it would come to impact me. The goodbye this evening was bittersweet. And I know that in the next couple weeks, there will be many more goodbyes to be said and many more emotions that will be swirling around inside.
But tonight, I'm simply moved by pride and joy. It's been a life changing two years working with DC and my students. I wouldn't trade them for anything, I couldn't ask for anything more, and I will never forget them.
"Thanks for the joy you've given me...I want you to know I believe in your song..."
DCX love.
Cheers.
Tonight, I addressed the 42 student staff with my appreciation for their involvement with the program and charged them with being genuine, authentic, transparent, and present with the incoming first year students this summer. I spoke about my own transition to college, the resources and mentors I wish I had had to make the transition easier and how proud I was of them. I told them that prior to coming to graduate school, there wasn't much I could say about the students at UGA that I could ground in fact but in leaving, I will forever speak about my students with pride and affection for I truly do believe that these students will change our tomorrow for the better. I've never worked with a brighter, more passionate, more driven group of individuals.
Tonight, I told the students that when I accepted my position a little over two years ago, I did so believing I had a lot to offer Dawg Camp and believing I could impact the program. What I didn't realize two years ago was how much the program and the students connected with it would come to impact me. The goodbye this evening was bittersweet. And I know that in the next couple weeks, there will be many more goodbyes to be said and many more emotions that will be swirling around inside.
But tonight, I'm simply moved by pride and joy. It's been a life changing two years working with DC and my students. I wouldn't trade them for anything, I couldn't ask for anything more, and I will never forget them.
"Thanks for the joy you've given me...I want you to know I believe in your song..."
DCX love.
Cheers.
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