It’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to write one of the “standard GM columns.” But once again I find myself looking back at the archives and reading the closing remarks of all of the past Grand Marshals. Now, I’ll share with you my observations.
Everyone thanks Rick Hartt, and for good reason. He is the glue that holds the Union together, and has been the inspiration of student leaders for decades. He is the man who you know you can talk to when you run into situations that you have never seen before, and is the confidant for the times when the tasks you face seem overwhelming. There is a reason he is revered by GMs and PUs past and present.
The next group always thanked is the Senate. I’m not going to do that this year. I want to thank individual senators, senators who I saw grow as people, or who helped me do the same. The first senator I want to thank is Wally Morris, who has always been the mature voice willing to lend an aura of experience to any situation, and who was perfectly willing to sit me down and tell me when I was being an idiot. Next, I want to thank Max Yates, the man who I let do whatever he wanted, and gave as much responsibility as he thought he could handle. Max’s plans, dreams, and accomplishments repeatedly showed me that I made the correct decision by giving him full autonomy. Thank you, Max.
Bob Fishel is definitely someone I won’t forget. As much as he made my time as Chair of the Senate miserable, he definitely meant well. If there is one thing about Bob that I respect, it is his ability to always have an idea about what I am up to, right or not. Bob is like fried chicken on a hot summer day. You don’t really want it, but since it’s there, you’re going to do something with it. You just don’t know what.
Several other members of the Senate should be mentioned here, but I don’t have enough space. If you have ever tried to impeach or remove me, thank you; you made my term interesting. Also, if you have ever worked hard or sacrificed other duties to help represent the student body (especially Marilyn Jose…), thank you. Even if I didn’t say anything, many people noticed, and you are the kind of Senators that help keep things working, even when the Senate is paralyzed by procedure.
Mark Smith has also been a guiding influence for me this year. There are times when I don’t know how I could have finished my term without talking with you. Dr. Knowles also deserves a hearty thank you, as he has been nothing short of an inspiration this year.
Dr. Jackson deserves a mention too. Dr. Jackson, there is a reason why everyone who interacts with you is inspired by you. Though I’ve already dedicated the better portion of a Top Hat to talking about how your interactions have changed me as a person, it should be reiterated.
The final person who I am going to thank is someone who has been thanked in this final column before, though several years ago. Thank you, Mike Borzumate. There is no way I would have been able to get off the ground this year without you. You’re an inspiration and utterly hilarious to be around. Stop by any time, and I hope we don’t lose touch.
Goodbye RPI. It’s been a wonderful and very interesting year.
