I can't believe the end is actually in sight. Graduation is only a few weeks away and I feel like it was just yesterday that I moved into Bankus Hall on one of the hottest days of summer 2005. I played guitar this morning at an Accepted Students Event on campus. President Finney spoke and during his speech, he commented on my pending graduation and my plans thereafter. It hit me all of a sudden that I am in fact graduating and a wave of sadness overcame me. Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited to start working in a field I love and start making a little money, but I can't imagine my life away from the Champlain community. I love walking around campus, kids hanging out on the green reading and playing guitar, saying hi to professors as they walk by, and relaxing in the Fireside Lounge with my friends. I love this campus and I love this college.

President Finney's speech this morning mirrored the speech I gave at convocation last fall. I talked about what a community is and how Champlain fits into that, or rather, creates it. After I began getting heavily involved on campus, I've never experienced more of a family-feel than I have at Champlain. From the administration to the cleaning staff to the students...I've never felt more part of a community. I'm such an advocate for getting involved on campus and that is the reason I feel so connected, so deeply rooted in the community here. I can't imagine a day without running to a meeting with some random staff or faculty member, brunch in the dining hall, or playing at the Grind each Wednesday. It hasn't registered and I don't think it will for a while.

Okay, enough of the sentiments. With two weeks left, it's crunch time! Time to bust out papers and projects, flesh out the resume, polish the cover letter, and spend quality time with friends. I love this time of year on campus, the hustle and bustle, but the underlying excitement for summer time.

Posted by Katherine Maund at 9:14 PM | Permalink

With three weeks of classes left, I have to admit I am STRUGGLING to stay organized and get all my work done. It's tough enough to try and get homework in on time, but most of my efforts have been focused on making myself as marketable as possible upon graduation. In this economy, I think all soon-to-be college graduates are focusing on scoring a job, one in their field of interest if they're lucky! In order to keep my sanity, I went home to Augusta, GA for a long weekend with my family.

Augusta is known for the Masters Golf Tournament. Every year, right before the tournament begins, the city seems to come alive. All the dogwoods have bloomed, the azaleas are in full blossom, and you can feel the energy. I know what you're thinking, who hustles and bustles over a golf tournament? I don't know..but Augustans do and you can feel it in the air. It was a relaxing weekend (surprising, right?) and spending quality time with my family re-energized me to come back to Burlington and tackle these last few weeks of classes.

I'm off to an interview today for a Marketing position with a company in Colchester, VT. I'm sure it will be one of many, but I'm excited to get the experience and am hopeful! Good luck to all those other graduates looking for jobs.

Be well,
Kat

Posted by Katherine Maund at 12:53 PM | Permalink