When helping to interview candidates for open positions on campus, I am often asked to name one thing I really love about Lynchburg College. One of my usual responses has to do with the fact that we are a bit like a greenhouse for students who come to us in various stages of growth and development. Some are seeds needing a great deal of academic supportive soil and social fertilizer. Others are well are on their way to being mature plants but with the possibility of becoming the cream of the crop in their chosen field. At Lynchburg College, no matter how a student comes to us, we have the tools and resources that will help them develop into their full potential if they are open to the challenge as well as the support that we provide.
As one of the many keepers of the virtual greenhouse, I have had the privilege of watching growth happen right before my eyes. I marvel as students discover their passions, embrace a sense of family in athletic teams, clubs and organizations, and create lifelong relationships that will sustain their spirits for years to come. And now it is time to watch this new growth be transplanted in other fields whether that be graduate school, jobs or internships, or times of continued searching for the next best stop on the journey.
As the Lynchburg College greenhouse begins to empty out its newest harvest in preparation for the next seedlings to arrive in August, I find myself feeling a little bittersweet. I am generally on an emotional roller coaster, thrilled that the end is in sight and a little down as some of the seniors begin to pack up for the next chapter of their life journey. As we transition once again from one academic year to the next, I offer for your consideration a favorite reflection from an anonymous author who speaks to me and perhaps will speak to you as well:
Well Done
For many of you, these weeks are filled with exciting exits for your grads and others, leaving you sitting in your office or some quiet place wondering how the year went by so fast and how you feel kind of lonely, a bit left out and likely real tired.
Well done, good and faithful and creative and talented and accountable and underpaid and very much appreciated changers of lives (even if some of those changed lives don’t stop by to tell you so).
Get some rest, grieve as needed, rejoice as able, keep the faith, do the job, and ask for help.
Blessings for the upcoming summer – see you Saturday on the dell!
Peace, Anne