Beginning with a healthy deal of gratitude towards former Dean Redding and fellow Dean of Students’ Office, Michael Lynn. These two gentlemen placed a great deal of faith into
me while granting me resources to adjust in my return semester as a student here on Wabash College campus. And so the school year went, arriving to summer in what hindsight says “a blink of an eye”, those late-night study sessions would beg to differ. Seemingly the campus clears in an instant and the atmosphere’s magic resonates with vibrations like peace of mind and solitude. Arising to the day with a profound sense of liberty, alongside the responsibilities of a Dean of Students’ Office intern you discover something so majestic about this place. The structural layout of campus, the architect of buildings, & still the ease of connection when you see the faces around. From day 1, I began growing with our team of interns, who dub as the “Alpha Unit” with respect to our veterans. Quarrels with Josyah Holland, fellow intern, as to whether I’d rank as Corporal or Sergeant festered becoming a running conversation through our shared days, whether it be will we were bunking a few beds, taking inventory on housing units, or on deck preparing for our project objectives from Dean Michael Lynn. Working with the A-Unit of great folks I noticed room for improvement within my leadership ability, delegation. My mom used to always say, after failing to find her request “stop half-looking” time and time again. After a while, I embodied the notion of going until the thing was found or the objective was complete because I personally am not a half-looker. You can see how ego can positively drive one forward, yet sometimes it’s best to simply say, “I need help”. Though the nature of me wants to carry an armoire down the hall all by myself because if it’s anything I won’t be it’s a half-looker or a half-effort type of guy. This summer though I put the proper reps in asking for assistance whether it be lifting, transportation, or even an idea for lunch. I’ve seen the light in ones who are proud and feel privileged to lend a hand. One must know what they are asking help for, what’s
required to accomplish the task from the helper, and articulate it directly. Dean Lynn’s manners, and systems gravitated towards my understanding and became a model for me and how I continue putting forth my part with full effort, and when necessary delegating a card or two when the time calls for it. There is a time for everything, a time to break down and a time to build up;
and so goes a time to help, and a time to be helped! I hope you find this blog helpful, with gratitude.
