Pancakes Come and Then They Move On

It is graduation weekend and Brian and I have been busy attending functions that honor the students that we have interacted with here at Pierpont Hall. It has also been a time of reflection of all that the students we live with achieve.

Ending of the semester begins with Pancakes for Finals at Pierpont. From Sunday to Thursday of every finals time Brian, the RAs, Tracie, and myself cook pancakes from 9-11pm. It has become a great way to see how students are feeling as the semester and year winds down. It makes me tired by Wednesday as Dr. Ann is an early to bed kind of girl. But it is a tradition that has come to mean that we all need to take time and reflect on what was the good and bad of what we have experienced.

Yesterday Brian and I found ourselves at Evan's Commissioning Ceremony. Evan was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. Within the year he will train to become a pilot. Evan has been an RA for us for three years and has truly become someone we care deeply about. As we sat there with his former co-RA Jordan it hit Brian that Evan as a member of our armed services could come into harms way. He gasped at the idea and then held his head high as Evan was commissioned. When Evan thanked us for all our support the times that I have wanted to choke him over the three years for choices he has made, all disappeared from my mind. What I saw was a young man who when I first met him was willing to teach Brian and I what we needed to know about Pierpont. I saw was a free spirited soul finalizing realizing his dream. I saw a young man and not the boy I first met. He worked hard for that dream and deserves all the good things that will come his way. With tears in my eyes I wished him good luck and told him I would, "see him later". After this experience I look forward to sharing it with Jon next May.

Today I attended the College of Human Resources and Education Graduation Ceremony. At this ceremony I had the great privileged of hooding Kristen, one of our RAs, for achieving a Masters in Counseling. Over this past year I have watched her use her skills to assist numerous students in Pierpont Hall achieve their dreams and overcome difficulties they were having. I also saw her struggle about where she wanted to be professionally. Watching her look over her choices and consider all the options she had made me realize that WVU had given her life-long skills that she will use. She decided to work as a trauma therapist for a local company and she is happy to be pursuing such an adventure.

At this ceremony I also got to see Walker achieve is Masters Degree in Secondary Education. Walker has also been an RA with us also for three years. He like Evan taught us so much when we arrived on the scene we can not thank them enough. Walker over the years has always been a man of few words. Over this past year he has shared more about himself then the two year prior. I am grateful that Walker began to trust us enough to open up. Brian's greatest gift this year is the Abraham Lincoln coffee mug Walker bought for him on his trip to see Lincoln's grave. He drank his coffee this morning in honor of Walker and all he has become. I on the other hand had to say loudly, "Yeah Johny Walker," as he was exiting the stage. I saw him smile and that meant the world to me. Walker has talked about pursuing a doctorate in history specializing in Lincoln, I hope to one day be sitting in the audience when he achieves that dream.

That last piece of achievement news came today over a text message. Our resident Kylin has been working very hard at her academics in hopes she would be accepted to the athletic training program. Today this dream was realized, Congrats Kylin!

Watching the residents grow from older adolescents to young men and women is something I will never tire of. It gives me such great joy to watch them achieve their dreams and visions. It also gives me hope and a renewed belief that if you work hard and keep your goal in focus anything is possible.

Happy Graduation to All Pierpont and WVU Grads.

Dr. Ann

PS Josh I am sorry I am missing your ceremony but Italy awaits. :)

Moon Over Pierpont

Today being the last day of the semester and the weather warming again the students of Pierpont are all a twitter. This has happened in both previous Spring terms but I have not experienced yet what I did last night.

Last night we took the Student Conduct Board out to dinner at Olive Garden to thank them for their service. It was a nice dinner filled with student conversation and reflection on what they had done throughout the year. I returned home to a friend's phone call. While on the phone I hear a horn beeping non-stop and then the words,"Leave me alone I hate you." So I hang up the phone and proceed to the window to see what is happening for this evening.

When I peer out the window I see a familiar resident walking up the ramp. She does not hear me inquire about what is going on so I peer into the car sitting outside my window. What I think I see is a female resident mooning the other. I do a double take and in fact I have seen "The Moon." I then see the female cover her face and get on the phone. With nothing amiss but students being students I return the call to my friend chuckling the entire time.

As the evening progresses I find myself out in the lobby. The female who was walking up the ramp happens to enter Pierpont at the same time. I ask her, "So your friend was mooning you. I know you didn't see it but I did." Another female resident had entered the building with her and is turning bright red as I talking. She then states, "I am so sorry Dr. Ann it was me who mooned you. I am so embarrassed, I am sorry." With this I just start to laugh and tell her, "I had no idea who it was so you just told on yourself." She smiles and laughs along with me entering the elevator to her room as quickly as she can.

Oh yes it is Spring and all of the wonders that go along with it have sprung. Mooning over Pierpont, Studying in Pierpont, and just being Resdients at Pierpont is alive and well for another week. Oh Happy Days!!!

Teaching Politics at the Dinner Table

Monday we had the Annual Resident Hall Association Dinner. Brian and I accompanied our Hall Council Officers, Tracie, and their advisors to the event in anticipation of them winning an award for all of there efforts this past year.

Kristin, Emily, Josh, and Corey as well as their RA advisor's Walker and Jordan have done an exceptional job this past year. They had perfect attendance at RHA and raised over $500 for the children we sponsor through the Children's Relief fund. In addition, they planned hall wide programs that included tie dye, Wii Bowling Tournament, Poker Tournament, trip to Fright Farm, Bingo, Christmas Party, All Red Food Party, Basketball Watch Parties, and bowling outings as well as others I can't remember. I was aware of all of the time and effort these activities had taken as well as their desire to win an award as we left for the dinner.

Dinner was an array of interesting food combinations accompanied by conversation once again highlighting how proud Brian and I were of what the group had achieved. Introduction and speeches were made by members of RHA and then we were onto the awards portion of the evening.

Our Hall Council was recognized for their perfect attendance in the first round of awards. Then it was onto scrapbooks. Kristin and Emily had designed our entry with great attention to developing a scrapbook that represented all their year long accomplishments. They had worked one entire weekend on this scrapbook and were so proud showing it to Brian and I that we could not help but be once again impressed by the young women they had become in the past two years. So as the Scrapbook of the Year was announced it was with bated breath that we all were awaiting Pierpont Hall's name to be announced. It was not.

To look over at these young women's faces was heartbreaking. They had read the requirements, worked hard to meet them, presented their scrapbook to the voting committee, and were then disappointed by the results. As the awards for Hall Council President of the Year and Hall Council of the Year were given it became clear that our young students were not part of the "in" political group. This was also evident to our students. What also became clear was this had become a teaching moment of how politics can play out at any level.

As the murmuring of disappointment went around the table Brian and I talked to them about how they had played within the rules and kept their dignity. That we were proud of the year-long efforts in Pierpont Hall that had not been present in an prior hall council we had worked with. We also discussed how they might go about combating the political "in" group. Brian suggested they run a candidate of their choice for RHA president and assist that individual in garnering the votes needed to win. We also talked about continuing to work on asking for changes within the constitution of the organization so that their voice may get heard. We also talked about that sometimes we just have live with the "in" groups politics and see where our interactions with these individuals as assisted us in our own personal growth. To listen to the student's response to these suggestions as well as their own ideas gave me hope that this generation will be able to provide for themselves and future generations.

Who knew that a night that started with anticipation of a win would lead to a discussion on life and politics. That's what you get when you are a RFL you never know what you need to teach or what discussion will happen you just take your lead for teaching from Them.

There are No Sophomore's Here Now!

We had the last social this evening, 60 plus students joined Ann, Tracie, the RA's and myself in the main lobby to celebrate and have the end of the year "PIERPONT POUNDS AUCTION".

This was our first auction and we were not sure how it would be received by the students. But our fears can be set aside.

Students and staff laughed, bid against each other for silly and serious items. From a large pair of "Elton John" sunglasses, to a couple Wii's many prizes were auctioned off.

For me it is really rewarding to see so many students share in the joy and success of another college year under there belts.

The freshman are all gone, no more wide eyed looks, or wonderment of what is to come, they know now. They see the path and know it will take not a village, but a university to help them grow to graduation.

The sophomores now have this air of confidence that was not there just nine short months ago. They walk different, talk different and can see a path to there future.

Many juniors have started the discussion of internships, and promises of graduation. I heard talk of what the internships will bring this summer with a new sense of urgency to get to graduation and start there journey in life. What a joy.

And those seniors! Excitement and fear of graduation. The look of accomplishment. And it is a great accomplishment. They have done what a great majority of West Virginians and Americans have not done, complete an undergraduate degree. They move forward in tough times in our country. Not certain of job prospects, but so full of hope and promise. In some ways I envy them, this youth.

The year comes to a close and the rewards of the late nights, and early mornings has paid off.

We are Never Really Home Alone

This past week Brian and I helped out one of my friends in the Special Education Department and watched her 6 and 7 year old while she went to a professional conference. There Mother returned on Saturday evening after Brian had left earlier in the day for North Carolina. After a week of young one I was looking forward to a quiet night at home. What I got was a visitor.

I really should have learned by now if the door is open to the lobby the students just wander in and hang out and if I truly need a break I need to shut the door or hide under the bed. Well Saturday night had Kylin wandering in to just update me on the Pierpont's Relay for Life adventure and just talk. At Relay for Life the students raised money for Cancer Awareness and just had a great time. They walked over 12 miles around the track, played corn hole, and from what I heard played a mean game of dodge ball at 3am. After her stories, with the smell of tacos still in the air she asked if there was leftovers. I pointed her in the directions of the kitchen and she joined me in the living room for dinner and TV.

After looking to see that my digital download of "The Lovely Bones" was not working I flipped the TV back to live. The station it was left on was Cartoon Network and low and behold "Stuart Little 2" was on. Kylin started talking of childhood memories of the movie and so we were set for the next hour. When it was over she was comfortably encased in the couch so I made her watch "Army Wives". Of course it was one of her Mother's shows so she knew the characters. When it was over it was 10:30pm and Dr. Ann was pooped. I bid her a goodnight and went off to bed.

Although I had longed for a quiet night alone a quiet night at home with a student also works every time.

Dr. Ann

Air Force Rotc Dining Out

Today Dr. Ann and I attend a ROTC Dining out dinner with RA Evan grinstead. This is the end of the year dinner for ROTC candidates. The evening was formal attire with many of the young ladies in prom type dresses. At the beginning of the evening we learn of a very emotional and moving part of all "Dining In" events. The Missing Man table. Although you can read the script of the Missing Man table, to see and hear this read and done in a room full of Air Force cadets brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. I thought of all the people in the room and those over seas fighting for my right to speak freely, to love my wife and children and to walk down the street a free man.

Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony"

As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table at the front, raised to call your attention to its purpose -- it is reserved to honor our missing loved ones [or missing comrades in arms, for veterans].

Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still [our men] missing from each of the five services -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit.

Some [here] in this room were very young when they were sent into combat; however, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way.

I would like to ask you to stand, and remain standing for a moment of silent prayer, as the Honor Guard places the five service covers and a civilian cap on each empty plate.

Honor Guard: (In silence or with dignified, quiet music as background, the Honor Guard moves into position around the table and simultaneously places the covers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, and a civilian hat, on the dinner plate at each table setting. The Honor Guard then departs.)

Moderator:

Please be seated ....... I would like to explain the meaning of the items onthis special table.

The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.

The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s] toast.

The chairs are empty -- they are missing.

The company for the evening was outstanding and to learn the traditions of the Air Force was enjoyable. RA Grinstead taught us so much in the pass three years this was just one more thing that he shared with us and taught us.

It is these evenings and events that come at the end of the year that let me see how this work as a RFL does touch not only the students but me as well. It is the reward for all the late nights, Taco nights, fire alarms, evenings listening to the young students figure out life. Thanks Evan, John for sharing this evening with myself and Ann.

At the Diner Booth

"Living Among Them"

Living among 469 WVU students in residential housing is an adventure everyday. It seems to never end and at the same time gives me so much energy. The youth of this building, Pierpont Hall at West Virginia University, seem to never slow down. This level of energy just flows through building like electricity threw wires.

Morgantown and WVU got over 20 inches of snow this past few weeks and I have seen more snowball fights and snowmen going up than I have the in my 50 years on this earth. We currently have a photo contest for Best photo of the "Bilzzard of 2010", I will post photos once they come into me and we can all vote on them. Most of the cars have been dug out by now and only a few are left buried in the snow.

Seems that the Resident Faculty Leader, (RFL) dinners are growing. A couple years before moving into the dorm, I bought a antique diner booth. Now in our kitchen at the dorm it is a great place for students to come and study, share a meal a cup of coffee or just sit and chat with each other or Dr. Ann and I.

Dr. Ann has decided to call the RFL dinners "Chat and Chew on Tuesday Night" Not a bad name for a dinner. More than 40 kids come on a regular basis and I would bet they will continue to grow. More and more the topics of the "chat" focuses on paper, assignments, study ideas and intern and work opportunities for the summer ahead. That old diner booth sure is getting alot of visitors.