It’s finally here: the end of classes and the start of finals. Even the sunshine has come to Troy for our last few weeks of the semester. Although we all have a heavy workload in studying, remember to get outside, have some fun, and be with friends; it’s the best way to relieve some of the stress and anxiety before finals. So enjoy the weather, make the most of it, and good luck for finals.
As the school year approaches its end—as does my column for the semester—I would like to congratulate the graduating students. I have had an amazing opportunity working with many graduate students and members of the Class of 2009; I thank them for all the support and advice that they have given me and I wish them luck in their future. Success is only limited by the bounds we define; if you are courageous and daring, great things can be achieved. The students that will be walking across that stage have changed so much of campus. I am sure that this graduating class will forever leave an imprint on the world as the innovators and thinkers of today.
A perk of holding the office of Grand Marshal is that you are invited to attend the graduation ceremony each year. This year’s ceremony will bring some exciting events, especially the combination of distinguished alumni and innovative leaders in their fields. RPI will be welcoming a few of their own back—Peter Schwartz ’68 and Samuel Josefowitz ’42—as well as the CEO of American Express Ken Chenault and Nobel Physicist Robert Richardson; these individuals are certain to be a combination that will provide great insight and thought through the Colloquy and Commencement ceremony. I am honored that I will be attending this year’s 203rd Commencement on Harkness Field; I look forward to the events surrounding the ceremony and am excited to congratulating the graduating students. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend to do so—there’s sure to be something to take away from such an event.
Although the summer is approaching, that doesn’t mean the Grand Marshal and the Student Senate stop doing our jobs. We will be working very hard during the summer, setting the framework and determining the goals we wish to achieve for the next year. My aim is that when we return in August, we will be creating an effective path to improving communication, creating more student input, and building community relations. We have some ideas, but we would be excited to hear yours. Hop onto the Student Senate website, http://www.studentsenate.rpi.edu/, where we’ll be updating Senate projects and posting ideas for next year. Leave some comments, or e-mail your senators about your ideas—just visit their profile page. Or, as always, you can contact me; I have a profile page on the Student Senate website and a Twitter page at http://twitter.com/rpigm/, or you can e-mail me at gm@rpi.edu.
School’s out for summer, but the work never ends. Stay sharp but have fun, enjoy yourself but be safe, and I’ll see you back here at RPI in August.
