Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving. Traditions and family rituals often times just get reproduced with little thought, and slowly over time merge and change. I was thinking this year, in wake of all the talks of immigration, caravans, asylum, welcoming the stranger and building a wall… I got to thinking about the original story of Thanksgiving that I was told.

The pilgrims (AKA Immigrants) came to this continent and suffered. The native population not only welcomed them, but helped them, taught them to plant corn and prepared them for life in this new land. The pilgrims were thankful, thankful for generosity, thankful for the friendship, thankful for their future.

I want to shout out all my friends that I am thankful for… don’t worry friends, those of you that I am thankful for, I won’t force you off your lands and enslave you.

This was a milestone year. I turned 40. I lost 50 pounds. I did a FASFA app for my child. We buried my last grandparent. There were lots of personal and professional projects, some challenges, but a great year to find focus and toward the future.

I want to thank everyone who assisted and supported me this year. Friends that checked in on how I am doing, reminded me that I am not alone. For colleagues who supported my work, challenged me to do more, from my team to La Casa, to IUSB friends, to all my current and past OutSight clients. We spend a large amount of time at work, so supportive structures there are important. To my family that love me no matter what, that supported my drive to a healthier life, that picked me up when I was down, thank you.

Any one of you reading this fits into one of those categories… my family isn’t just blood, it is my fraternity, my close friends that feel like family… GRACIAS. My work folks aren’t just at La Casa, they are on local boards, city committees, etc. and of course just all my friends. It’s nice knowing I can go anywhere in town and see a friend, say hi, chat, and connect.

Thank you everyone. I am mega thankful for a fantastic year. Thankful for friends. Thankful for my health, my family, my kids, and just in general my life. It’s not perfect, but man it is pretty fantastic.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Pumpkin Pie Titan

Just over ten years ago I set foot on the campus of IU South Bend as the new Director of Student Life. That job made me a Hoosier, made me a #IHeartSouthBend groupie, and connected my family and I forever to this community.

I was there when the first students moved onto campus, there when we planned major concerts, when we added sports, when campus was growing, started Greek Life, and just plain out had a great time, with amazing staff, and supported some stellar students.

Over the past ten years I have gotten to see my former students go on to grad school, professional careers, community leaders and I even hired one at La Casa. Over the past 6 years I got to watch campus from a far, but still got to poke around campus here and there as a guest speaker, panelist, event volunteer and this summer even got to be an adjunct professor for a class. I always get a little nostalgic when I am on campus for something.

Last week I walked onto the IUSB campus and ate this delicious pumpkin pie. No I don't normally like fall pumpkin everything, and first thing I thought was man Cruz will be jealous (he loves pumpkin pie).

It was the end of lunch in the Chancellor's Dinning Room that was part of the campus advisory board meeting (campus Board of Directors), and it got me reflecting on my time as a Titan. Board Page: LINK

It was a huge honor when the chancellor asked me to serve. Honestly I thought, am I ready for this? At my first meeting I sat between a Mayor and major business owner turned elected official. The list of people on the board is like a local Who's Who, and then me.

Then I looked across the table from me and there sat Karen White. The Karen White, the person who interviewed me now over 11 years ago for a job at IUSB, the city council member, long time community leader, and all around amazing person. She introduced me to this community, she taught me to realize potential, nominated me for roles, trusted me and always gave me feedback (positive or negative). Thank you Karen for believing in me.

I am looking forward to this role with IUSB. To all my Titan friends, past and current students, faculty or staff... #GoTitans!