Okay, here it is for the last time—my “Derby”. I would like to begin by sharing my enthusiasm for the GM Week events. I am glad to see so many people out and participating. Please do not forget to vote tomorrow in the final elections located in the Union, Commons, and DCC Great Hall. Please also know that the Union is still accepting applications for the E-Board and I welcome any and all questions about the positions, pu@rpi.edu.
Please be sure to join the Grand Marshal and me as we honor the new student leaders this Friday night in the Union’s Rathskellar at 7 pm! In addition to the GM Week events, UPAC is sponsoring yet another Battle of the Bands Saturday in the Union at 8 pm. Please note, for those of you over 21, that the Pub will open its doors to the balcony and will offer a great opportunity for its patrons to enjoy the show!
Since this is my last column, I would like to take some time to thank the people that I have had the opportunity to work with this year and who have taught me what it really means to be a student leader and a better person. First and foremost, I need to thank my family for always believing in me and supporting me in every endeavor I undertake. You are my inspiration, my rock, and my heart.
Tony—thank you for supporting me 100 percent! Thank you for being patient, supportive, and giving me just what I needed to get through all the good times and bad. You are the best!
To my roomies—the 14th Street girls—thanks for your support, your ears, and your friendship.
I, of course, need to thank Gil Valadez for being my “other-half.” You have been there through everything—you have listened, you have given advice, and you have taught me about friendship, honesty, trust, and integrity. Your truthfulness and support are unremitting and watch out when the door closes!
The Union Administration office, what can I say but I will miss you. Thank you for making my job easier and for supporting the efforts of the students and the E-Board all year. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with each of you and thank you for devoting your careers to helping RPI students become leaders, better students, and better people.
Rick, you have not only been an advisor, but a mentor and a friend. I have learned more from you than I had ever imagined and I will carry it with me forever.
I have enjoyed working with and getting to know a vast majority of the staff working in the Union, the Mueller Center, and Athletics. You certainly do not get enough credit for the work that you do for students. Your continuous interaction with students makes our lives better every day. Most commendable is that you do this because of your true devotion to students.
To the Archer Center, thank you for all of your support and guidance this year. More importantly, thank you for focusing your time toward student’s co-curricular and professional development. It is this focus that enables us to leave Rensselaer as better individuals who stand out amongst our peers.
I would like to thank the President, the Cabinet, and the Trustees for their time and devotion to RPI.
To The Poly, thank you for letting me share my experience with our community through the Derby. You can be sure that I will pass along the secret of bulleted lists to the next PU and GM!
Last, I would like to send a sincere thank you to all of the Union’s clubs and organizations and the entire student body. It has been an honor to serve as your President of the Union. The best part about being the PU is working with the students. I have derived the greatest pleasure from watching your clubs grow and succeed this year. I love seeing all the posters for events, hearing about your performances, games, conferences, and lectures. I enjoy spending my Friday nights hanging out with you, getting your feedback, and attending your meetings.
I truly believe that students at RPI can and do make a difference, but it only comes through your own hard work and genuine dedication. You exemplify leadership, and have created an impressive foundation for the Union to build upon in the years to come. Change and betterment will not occur unless you help it along and within our Student Union. You need to know that you do have unbounded potential and would be foolish not to take advantage of it. I encourage you all to become a part of something and expand yourselves as individuals. Goodbye, good luck, and please know that you have taught me more than you can imagine and I thank you for this opportunity.
