With the new academic year comes new opportunities—a chance to grow as a student, an individual, and as a member of the Rensselaer community. As we arrive back on campus for another year here, between rushing to get textbooks and reuniting with friends, it may seem impossible to squeeze another minute into your already hectic schedule.
Even if this is the case, you may not be getting everything you possibly could out of your educational experience. We should find ourselves continually looking for new ways to get more involved on campus and in the surrounding community. It is our duty as the technological leaders of our generation to equip ourselves with a complete education.
Our primary resource on campus to complete our education is the Rensselaer Union. The Union is an integral part of the educational mission here at Rensselaer, and it complements the academic experience with a variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs. The Union acts as a medium through which student opinion may be expressed using any of our 150 clubs and organizations and the vast amount of services and events that we offer. From concerts to athletics, outdoor events to all sorts of cultural activities, the Union reflects the diversity and commitment that is displayed by the close to 7,000 students on campus.
So I challenge all of you: join a club of your interest, compete in athletics, express yourself in the arts—just get involved. You will find that some of the most rewarding parts of your education at Rensselaer will come outside the classroom. So find your passion, excel at it, become a leader, and most importantly, take a larger part in the deep sense of community that we have all come to value here at Rensselaer.
