A reflection from the University Student Senate President

They say high school goes by in a blink of an eye, but in college, you miss the blink. It’s hard to believe that it’s all over.

But from my time as a first year senator, I’m proud to look back on the work this class in particular has done for one another and for this university. And looking back, one of the greatest honors I will ever have is the ability to serve as the student body president of this institution.

The university’s path these past four years have been one of growth and change. Dynamism has returned to Hawk Hill, and I’m proud to have been a part of that.

We’ve welcomed Pope Francis and a former vice president, launched a new school aimed at healing and educating our society, won an Atlantic 10 Championship and developed visions for the future of our campus.

But we’ve also stumbled along the way, losing beloved members of our community and sometimes harming those we’re supposed to care for. Yet, it’s in these times of difficulty that I’ve seen the best this university has to offer.

These times of difficulty have forced us to implement sound and sustainable financial reforms for student organizations, increase access to healthcare for students and outline steps that are essential for tackling racism and creating a more inclusive campus.

This year we pushed ourselves to new heights and took on roles that only this graduating class could undertake; as a campus, we gave each other a voice and the courage to dare to improve, all in tangent with one another.

The other day, a professor asked me, “What will be your legacy?” I told them I didn’t know, but I hoped it would be a good one at the very least.

Unfortunately, none of us have the luxury of hindsight, but that’s never stopped us from waking up day after day and doing our job and the things that bring us happiness.

And I have realized that these two traits —an unparalleled drive and constant pursuit of fulfillment—are the distinctive variables that make St. Joe’s  exceptional. Yes, challenges lie ahead for both the graduates and their alma mater, but this simply means that those two factors can be put to work and used to create more opportunities to succeed moving forward.

I am a firm believer that one’s success is determined by the success of those around them, and when I look at both the class of 2019 and this session of the student government, I know we’ve succeeded. I’ve seen others grow in ways unimaginable four years ago. I’ve seen the best people rise to daunting challenges, and I’ve seen Hawks lead and excel at every sport, every conference, every internship and every service project available. I’ve seen the best humanity has to offer here on Hawk Hill.

What is even more rewarding is knowing that we leave this place in firm hands and sound student leadership, and I have no doubt that the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and very shortly, 2023, will continue on the path of improvement and progress we’ve created within our own four years.

Our time here has come to an end, but the work we’ve done is far from over. In fact, it has only begun. So in essence, the torch has been passed and a new era of responsibility is here.

When I was asked to write this piece, I was appalled that the time had already come. But as I look back on my time here at St. Joe’s, I’m glad the time has come.

It’s the ending of a chapter that I will forever be grateful for; the people I’ve encountered and grew relationships with are some of the finest this university will ever see. Better yet, the things that they’ve done here will be remembered for pushing this place to new limits, ones we could have never imagined.

For that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you, St. Joe’s.