“These times, they are a changing” Part 2: To Connecticut, Ireland, and Beyond

So, graduation happened. In some ways it felt a bit like graduating from Kindergarten or the 8th grade - momentous and important, in its own way, but really just signaling the massive amount of work yet to do (that masters and doctorate won’t really earn themselves, you know.  

To my surprise, I ended up graduating as the male valedictorian (Centre has two valedictorian prizes - one for men, one for women - in honor of the years when the college was split by sex). I’m not entirely sure that I can clearly articulate my surprise at the news (they don’t tell you beforehand), or my happiness that my parents were there to see me accept the award. My mom and dad always said that while I was in school, my job was school.  I’ve been extraordinarily blessed with parents that have always emphasized education, and therefore helped me pay for college. In some way, I suppose that the George Winston Walsh is the best way I can think of to say “thanks” — to show them how much their help has meant to me.  

Shortly after graduation (about 72 hours later), I arrived in Connecticut to once again work at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Here in this company dedicated to new play development, I have been working alongside playwrights, directors, dramaturgs and designers to research, revise scripts, and participate in discussions about how to strengthen the scripts of a truly dynamic season of new musicals, plays, puppetry pieces and cabaret performances.  

Now, with only a few weeks until my tenure at the O’Neill is finished, I’m turning my sights to Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. When I found out about the Mitchell it was easy to put it away, in the back of my mind, because it was so far off. Now that it’s but a month away, there’s so much to do.  

I’m excited for the new adventure that it will bring: living in a new country, the intellectual and academic challenges that my M.Phil program will undoubtedly provide), new friends,travel, and new modes of theater.  

Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing to write for My Centre Life (though as I know who you’ll be reading this next year, I think that you’re in for a treat). Even so, I am not finished writing - you can follow my daily ramblings as I finish out my time here at the O’Neill, move to Ireland, and start the next chapter of my life at my other tumblr account.  I promise to update with a bit more frequency (if for no other reason that international calling is expensive, I imagine few people want to skype with me at 2 in the morning).

“These times, they are a changing” Part 1: Let’s get physical

I made a new play list for the gym.  I answered emails.  I looked at glasses frames I don’t need online.  I even cleaned my bathroom, but I still can’t bring myself to work on this final, last paper for Centre.  To be fair, it’s not from some deep-seated anguish about this being my last paper as an undergrad. I am genuinely procrastinating in the worst possible way. But all the same, I figured that I would take a few moments and give the first section of my beginning-of-the-end thoughts. 

The other day I did the nostalgic tour through the My Centre Life archive, not only to see past friends, but also to see myself—to look at the photos I’d posted, and read the things my freshman self thought were important to say.  Honestly, I couldn’t even get past the picture. Who isthat person?  It’s someone I almost don’t recognize anymore. 

The photo to the left of this composite was taken my first week of classes here at Centre. Aged, 18, 5’10” and fresh out of high school, I entered college weighing an embarrassingly large 250 pounds. How I let myself get to that point, I’ll never know.

Freshman used to be required to take HHP (Human Health and Performance), during which there was a fitness test.  Now, I wasn’t self aware to the point of ignorance.  I knew that I was out of shape.  But having difficulty running a mile was a wakeup call: it didn’t matter how much time I spent developing my mind, if I don’t take care of the body it’s housed in. 

So, I changed my diet, eating more greens, cutting out sodas, etc.  I began to make consistent use of Sutcliffe, our student academic center.  Taking workout pointers from the team trainers and peers on sports teams, I slowly started running.  1 mile.  1.1 miles. 1.12 miles …  working my way up to the 6, 7, 8 that I run now. I joined Nancy’s aerobics class. To this day, I credit Nancy as one of the biggest motivators—and reasons for my weight loss. Always helpful, she didn’t poke fun, get exasperated, or worry about the large, awkward guy fumbling in the back of her step class. The routines were hard—I dare any conditioned athlete to take her class and not break a sweat.  Nowadays, I can navigate her routines with assurance and still run a mile or two afterwards, if there’s enough time.

I’m not saying that I’m some stellar athlete (I’m quite the opposite), but I am saying that I didn’t really become the person that I saw when I looked in the mirror until I came to Centre.  I never lettered in a sport,  but I am leaving Centre with a new love for athletics and personal care—an aspect of education to easily overlook. 

I was, in may ways, the same person that I am now. The transformation from freshman Sam on the left, to senior Sam on the right, however, is one that has allowed me to grow into myself, becoming a more confident and healthier person.  

So, as trite as it may be: For the encouraging comments, running partners, endless repeat tutorials on weight machines—all that has proved critical in helping me stay positive and on track—thanks. I can’t express it adequately, or enough. 

Population Explosion

Never does campus seem busier than during midterm week at Centre.  I’m a pretty consistent patron of my study spaces - a careful roulette of my apartment, the campus center, very specific desks at the library, the public library, and The Hub. Still, if Centre wants to give the impression of having far more than our approximately 1200 students, they should schedule all PS (perspective student) visits during midterm week.  Walking out of the Cento office the past two nights to see all of the tables filled and people camped out on the hall floor is so unusual that it never loses its surprise value. 

The upside, to this however, is that it’s a visual affirmation that students here cram a half-semester’s worth of reading into one week to prep for an exam care. Whether its sharing notes with someone who was ill, or meeting for study sessions, there isn’t the sort of catty competition that accompanies academic pursuits at other schools I’ve visited. Everyone wants everyone to succeed. Really. And regardless of whatever anyone says in an attempt to appear nonchalant or apathetic, a fundamental marker of students here is the desire to do well. 

Going Beta

As I had briefly mentioned in an earlier post, this past week I accepted my bid from Beta Theta Pi to be a founding father in recolonization of the Epsilon chapter here at Centre. Epsilon, founded in 1848, was Centre’s first fraternity.  It was pulled from campus by nationals a few years ago as a part of the Men of Principle initiative, which seeks a greater chapter accountability towards upholding the beliefs and constitution of Beta.

Many people around campus have asked me why now - why would I go Greek the last semester of my senior year? It’s not a rash decision.  I’ve honestly thought about doing it for a long time.  But due to timing, it’s never quite worked out: freshman year I made the decision to wait - I didn’t want to rush into a commitment; sophomore year I was out of the country; junior year I knew that Beta was returning the following year (DKE was re-colonizing last year, so there would have been two separate fraternities vying for non-affiliated men).  

Admittedly, I battled with the decision. Yes, I’ll only be on campus for only the remainder of this semester. Yes, it’s one more thing in my crammed planner. Yes, there are membership dues and fees.  But in saying “yes” to these things, I’m also saying “Yes” to another list:

1. History. Beta has been a part of Centre’s history for over 150 years and this is an opportunity to not only be apart of that history, but to also ensure that it continues for another 150.  And, somewhat self-servingly, I think there’s something incredibly attractive about being able to visit as an alumnus in 5, 10, 20 years and see a lasting positive change I helped make on campus.  This isn’t like doing layout work for The Cento, sitting on SGA exec, or even writing this blog. My effect in these ways will inevitably fade.  I hope that by helping recolonize Beta here at Centre, I can (even if only in a small way) be involved in a more lasting manner. 
2. Values.  If you’ve not clicked the “Men of Principle” link above, do so. It’s a solid set of beliefs, and Beta seems committed to upholding them. 
3. Relationships.  The other main component of a social fraternity is obviously the social relationships.  I am already good friends with some of the founding fathers  - others I am really meeting for the first time.  It’s not a specific group or type; we run a wide gamut of personalities, beliefs, academic interests, and activities. Admittedly, I won’t get to spend as much time as I’d like with these men, but I feel confident that Beta will help sustain these relationships, even after 22 May (the ever-closer graduation day).  Not only do I have friends who are past Betas, but I have some good friends who are Beta elsewhere, or Beta alums. Moving forward, I think that such an explicit network will prove invaluable in both my social and professional life. 

It’s not that I disagree with, dislike, or think poorly of the other 5 fraternities on campus - I’ve lived with a Sigma Chi (or someone who eventually went Sig) all four years, for example.  Going Greek is a bit of a personal process. This just feels like the right time, and the right way for me.