We’ve finally reached no-man’s land, where a semester’s worth of work is overshadowed only by the anxiety of finals to come. For many students here at Rensselaer, this semester marks the end of an amazing experience. For the rest of us, this semester only leads us to look toward the next.
To the graduating Class of 2005, I tip my hat to you. You’ve overcome tremendous challenges in arriving at this point in your life. I bid you adieu and wish you the best as you pursue your hopes and dreams.
To our commissioning officers in all three branches of ROTC, I salute you. Your self sacrifice and dedication to the people of this nation cannot be repaid. Your service gives assurance that America’s beacon of hope, liberty, and justice will continue to burn brightly from sea to shining sea.
On behalf of all students, I’d like to offer their thanks to the tremendous employees of Rensselaer. I want to start by thanking Rensselaer’s custodial staff. Throughout this year, there have been times in which I’ve been amazed at the things you’ve dealt with. My sincerest appreciation goes to you for preventing so many accidents and illnesses.
Here’s to everyone who ensures that college life goes smoothly for the students, so that we can focus on our education: the maintenance people, the techies, the secretaries, the librarians, the employees of Hospitality Services, Public Safety, the shuttle drivers, and everyone else who leaves us one less worry or distraction. I give a special tip of my hat to student employees, who somehow manage to handle both.
Here’s a toast to Troy’s businesses, who look for innovative ways to satisfy students’ demands, and to our local government—they’re not so bad after all.
Cheers to the professors, but especially to the associate professors, adjunct professors, lecturers, military instructors, and TAs. To you falls the quixotic task of convincing students of the importance of one-inch margins, and you do it admirably. The truth is if anyone is ever going to change the world, it is because of you.
Thanks also to the local charities and non-profits who work to engage students in the world around them, and the houses of faith who work to engage students in the world beyond. A special hallelujah goes to the Chaplains Office staff that offers students something legitimately good and infinitely important.
My gratitude goes out to the student organizations of the Union and our impressive Greek system; both offer students so many opportunities. It is largely through you that the learning and growing experience extends beyond the classroom.
Our student athletes, too, deserve recognition for enriching our environment and bringing people together. The latter function should not be underestimated. In good times, RPI, Troy, and a not-insignificant portion of the alumni network across the world unite around our Engineers and Red Hawks. In bad times, well, we do our best. Either way, our athletics programs act as a rallying point. On behalf of our athletes and fans at Rensselaer, I offer their thunderous applause to Rensselaer’s dedicated coaching staff.
Above all, I’d like to single out one person--Provost Bud Peterson. His dedication toward the student body has been remarkable. He makes a priority of listening to students even beyond that of most administrators. I’ve never met a more sensible, dedicated, and hardworking supporter of students than him. To Dr. Peterson, I thank you very sincerely.
To President Jackson and the rest of the administration: I appreciate all you do for us. I know you’re taking flak every now and then. Okay, so maybe it is almost all the time, but the best leaders aren’t doing their job right if they don’t end up with some arrows in their back. I only wish the rest of the student body could see what I’ve seen from all of you over the past three weeks. Keep up the good work. Our students and alumni depend on it.
To my fellow students, I wish you as much rest and relaxation as you can get over the summer, as I know you’re not getting much of it now. If you’re washing down your second dose of Adderall with your fifth cup of coffee in a frantic effort to write 30 pages in a single night, you’re certainly not alone. Just do your best and stay healthy.
Over the course of the summer, I will remain on campus to work on the initiatives I’ve outlined in the Agenda for Rensselaer (http://www.rpi.edu/~yatesm/Agenda_for_Rensselaer.pdf) and will continue to make this the year the Student Senate delivers on its promise to students. So if you need anything at all, please contact me at gm@rpi.edu, or stop by my office on the third floor of the Student Union.
