ASUWT president says his final goodbyes
Wil Johnson
Issue date: 6/5/08 Section: CLASS OF 2008
|
Some came looking for a change in their careers. Some came in search of skills and education for their first career. Some came thinking, what career; you mean I have to get a job eventually? Some may still be thinking that, but the time is here for many of us to take our next step.
To the graduating class of 2008, we made it. It may be a little hard to think about being done with all of the usual quarter / year-end chaos going on, but the time is here. Please remember we do have a few more papers and projects to get done around here. But just in case, I am pretty sure that your professors will be more than happy to give you a senioritis inoculation directly into your gluteus maximus during finals week.
Just think, on the morning of June 13, 2008, you will be walking in your cap and gown with friends and fellow classmates into the Tacoma Dome for the 18th annual UWT commencement ceremony.
Your family and friends who have been there pushing and supporting you will be up in the stands cheering and waving, trying to catch a glimpse of you walking in and hoping that you can also spot them in the screaming crowd of thousands. They will ask you at the end of the ceremony if you could see them. Just smile and nod.
Your professors will also be there to see you off, beautifully dressed in their graduation regalia. Do not worry if you find yourself suffering from gown envy. They will be excitedly cheering you on, or is that excitement due to their upcoming summer vacation. We may never truly know.
Our departure will be bittersweet, bitter because we will be parting with our beloved T-Dawg family, sweet because we are finally able to celebrate the reward of years of hard work. Congratulations class of 2008.
To those of you still under the Huskies' paw, see ya. No, seriously, it has been great working and learning with you all over the past two years. We have gone from, hey we need to welcome the first freshman class, to wow they are juniors now. Oh and by the way, they make up a good part of the student leadership team for next year. Class of '09, where are you?
There have been many changes over this past year. These changes have come out of our growth as a four-year institution and the building of relationships in our campus community. We now have a stronger connection to our UW campuses in Seattle and Bothell. I feel that with the foundations we have built this year, things can only get better.
I remember coming on campus for the first time in 2005 thinking, is this the campus? Where are the classrooms? Where is the Husky Pride? Due to our students this year working with facilities and the public relations department, there will be flags and banners to mark the campus in purple and gold.
Our students have worked with the office of academic affairs and the division of student affairs to provide newspapers on campus for students, faculty, and staff. We have also seen the opening of Coco Bob's and the convenience store this year. Where is the copy center again?
The mission of UWT is to educate diverse learners and transform communities by expanding the boundaries of knowledge and discovery. One of the things I have loved about being here is that WE are UWT, we have transformed and have been transformed, we have expanded the boundaries of knowledge and discovery, while also expanding and enlightening ourselves.
To the faculty, staff, and community we thank you for all you have done to make UWT the place to be. I would list names but the list of names itself would fill the paper. I think we need another issue just to take the time to thank everyone properly.
Best wishes to you all regardless of what the future holds. The journey continues. GO HUSKIES!!
ASUWT President, Wil Johnson
Be the first to comment on this story