Wow, as I am sitting down to write my last “Top Hat” column ever, I cannot believe that a year has gone by. I thank Hashem for all that I have learned and for the amount I have grown in this past year.
To begin my long list of thank yous, I must thank all of the students at RPI—you are more wonderful than you know and I really hope that each of you find your way. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving as your GM.
Thank you to my family in Georgia, Mexico, and California. Mommy, you are so beautiful and my guiding light, I am so happy that you are happy. To my sister for coming to Troy with my beautiful niece when I needed her the most and for my brother’s advice, thank you. To my girlfriend, who through our ups and downs and trials was always there for me no matter what, I love you now and always.
Thank you to my Hermanitos of La Unidad Latina—I can always count on you and we learned from each others’ mistakes. We are unstoppable as a social and community force. I look forward to coming back and seeing the fruits of all of our labors in the fall. Jason Torres, ’98, thank you bro for teaching me about survival after 9-11. You inspired me and I love you for getting me interested in RPI in the first place and for the person who you are.
To Ariana, my running mate, PU, and dear friend, you are a superstar. You have all the gifts and talents to make it and you are a beautiful person who will succeed. You define integrity and honesty and I love when the door closes and you tell it like it is. Thank you for putting up with my antics, my lactose intolerance, and other craziness. Tony is a lucky guy!
Turning to my Senate, thank you, and always remember that if yours is the loudest voice you hear, then you will never grow. Ayala Cnaan, you have worked tirelessly this year to make a difference, and I have always appreciated your support and guidance. You authored the basic language of the post 9-11 Senate Resolution and were a leader and a guide, especially to the junior senators. Thanks again for the Matzoh ball soup and for teaching me a lot about human beings in general. Chris Mather, you may be unopposed in your race for Grand Marshal, but no one can question that you have earned the honor through three years of dedication, hard work, and learning. You will do great Mr. 136 and you know that the students need you to be, especially now.
Rick Hartt and Mark Smith, you are my RPI heroes. You are models of how administrators should be in every way. I thank you for all that I have learned from you both: the guidance, the occasional kick in the pants, and for always having students first in your hearts.
To the entire Union administration office and to the Archer Center, I don’t think you are appreciated nearly enough. Jean Purtell hasn’t sat down in eight years and I think Martha and Cameron have a secret room somewhere in the Union because they are always here! Linda thanks for all the advice. Cathy you always make me smile, as do Beth, Mo, and Holly. Thanks for putting up with me.
To The Poly, thank you all for making this fun. I think you do a fine job, and no you do not always get it right, but the students pointing that out should sign up to make it better. I love my Poly, and I will be in soon to place my subscription.
Thank you to the Board of Trustees, President Jackson, and the cabinet. You are an incredible group of leaders and an inspiration to all of us for your contributions to the world and commitment to education. I humbly implore you to never lose contact with the students and to hold their opinions dear and near to policy making. The power is yours and ultimately you will decide the course of our Institute, but please do not forget as we build for the future the 7,000 students here now and how they yearn to love RPI. Apathy and frustration can be ignored, but that does not mean they are not prevalent. It will take a unified effort and sincere, creative efforts to end the “Tute screw” sentiment once and for all.
To the students, I leave you with a note about personal responsibility and integrity. It is cowardice to point and complain and wait for someone else to pick up the weight you refuse to burden. It takes tremendous courage and energy to get involved, to work hard, fail, and to still not give up. Please prefer to “die on your feet, than to live on your knees.” Student government and the Union will only reach its potential when we all take ownership for the solution and work as such. Good night and all the best in all you do. Thanks.
