Tonight,
I got dressed up in my Saturday best and headed out for the end-of-the-year
banquet held at the campus’ special event building—nothing but class for my
department! I was pleasantly surprised to find that all fourteen of my RAs had
arrived before I did, which meant they were on time. They looked very snazzy in
spring dresses and freshly pressed suits.
We took
up two tables near the back. We enjoyed the modest dinner and sweet desserts.
We laughed at various duty stories told by the three most animated RAs. And we
discussed, with melancholy, how different things will be for next year. Several
of my favorite RAs are graduating and a new batch of students will have to fill
their shoes. It brought a few tears to my eyes, but that’s the life of a hall
director.
Finally,
the awards were announced and my staff won the Most Beer Pong Games Ruined and the Most Likely to Investigate a Phantom Pooper awards. Ironically, I won Most Likely to
Create a Snarky Twitter Account—if only they knew the whole truth. To end the
evening, all graduating seniors were honored for their time of service and more
tears were shed.
As
critical I am of our department and some of the stupid things my staff has done
over the past eight months, I cannot ignore the prideful swelling of my heart
when I see how far they have grown as students and as leaders. As much as I
complain about the RAs, I know that most are doing the best they can in a
position that has many challenges. Congratulations RA staff 2011-2012! May next
year’s staff be just as motivated, creative, and funny—although I could do
without the bubble-wrap bandit. You know who you are!
:)
ReplyDeleteHaha...Most Likely To Create A Snarky Twitter Account. That level of irony is the stuff of legend.
ReplyDeleteWorking in higher ed is difficult. As someone who has been a student and an employee for a number of years, I know how much I dislike May and how much I love August. It's so bittersweet to say goodbye to those who have touched your life every May...but the excitement of working with a new staff and meeting a whole new portion of the student population is very invigorating. I usually go into a short-depression right about the May Commencement era...and at the end of August? I'm extremely hyper for about 3 days straight. I can't imagine ever leaving this field, because I can't imagine what life would be like without these "seasons".
~Shane