The summer is really slow here at Pierpont accept for the arrival of many of the new athletes. Due to WVU being a Division I school many of them were at the top of their high school teams and were stars on and off the playing fields. For our football and basketball players many were recruited by several schools. In the recruitment process they were treated like a king or a queen in hopes that they would to commit to WVU. They then arrive on campus days after graduating from high school from all over the country and see what the new world they have entered is all about.
Gone are they days of being Number One. They enter the training rooms and work with coaching staffs that comprise Division I sports. Although most of these individuals are caring people they have also been given the task to assist these athletes in being the most competitive players they can be. I have heard grumblings of aches, pains, and making weight. I talk to them about taking this opportunity to grow both as an athlete but more importantly a student. Although many are aware of the opportunity they have been given they still struggle with many of the same issues as the overall student body does. One of these issues is home sickness.
This summer many of the new arrivals have been home sick. In the Fall when students are confronted with home sickness we talk to them about all the wonderful happenings going on here and how if they go out they can be a part of it all. In the summer this is a harder sell as Morgantown is focused more on families and not as much about students. Many of the athletes have been here since May and have already completed six credit hours. To convince them that in just a few short weeks Morgantown will go through a metamorphosis is difficult. I smile, conjole, and talk to them about what is to come. I also inquire about classes and continually ask how their days are going. At times this is met with trepidation while other times it is greeted with a smile.
Brian and I have the unique opportunity to also watch the metamorphosis of these student athletes. Yes, some enter as individuals we know we will be cheering for in the near future while others are looking to be the next star. They all are 18 or 19 and still have the same fears about how they are going to navigate it all. They are also not a group that easily wants to show their inabilities. It is our job to create an environment in which they can share their thoughts with us and be free to ask the questions they need answered.
Last summer friends of mine were here and we had a BBQ in which many of the student athletes attended. When the large new linemen for the football team were all laughing about farts my friend smile and said, "they are just man-boys." It has been our pleasure and will continue to be to watch these man-boys and girl-girls grow into men and women. Home sick, happy, sad, sick, or tired we just work with them to assist them is seeing what the future can hold if they access all the support available to them.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Balancing Act
Every year we hire 14 to 16 RAs that assist us in supporting and educating the students of Pierpont Hall. Part of the process is to pair them into teams that will meet the needs of their residents on individual floors. Within this process the RAs strengths, weaknesses, personality, and work ethic all come into play. For the students hired as RAs it is the first information they long to receive.
On April 28, 2010 Tracie and I took time to develop "The Balancing Act" for the 2010-2011 academic year. We paired RAs based on the above factors discussed the pros and cons of each pairing and then went to our final draft. After we had completed our task Tracie sent out the email and the games began. Three of the RAs ran to my office to express their joy at getting the co-RA of their choice. Others came and talked about their concerns.
When students enter Pierpont in the Fall of 2010 they will also have the same reaction to individuals they have chosen or were placed with in their living arrangement. When roommate issue start it is best to look at both sides of the picture and see where you can or can not make a change. You are welcome to make changes in rooms at certain times of the year but remember the grass is not always greener.
In both of these instances students need to consider that we have to learn to live and work with a variety of people. Being an RA or a roommate may be their first experience with this type of "balancing act" but I can assure them it will not be there last.
On April 28, 2010 Tracie and I took time to develop "The Balancing Act" for the 2010-2011 academic year. We paired RAs based on the above factors discussed the pros and cons of each pairing and then went to our final draft. After we had completed our task Tracie sent out the email and the games began. Three of the RAs ran to my office to express their joy at getting the co-RA of their choice. Others came and talked about their concerns.
When students enter Pierpont in the Fall of 2010 they will also have the same reaction to individuals they have chosen or were placed with in their living arrangement. When roommate issue start it is best to look at both sides of the picture and see where you can or can not make a change. You are welcome to make changes in rooms at certain times of the year but remember the grass is not always greener.
In both of these instances students need to consider that we have to learn to live and work with a variety of people. Being an RA or a roommate may be their first experience with this type of "balancing act" but I can assure them it will not be there last.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
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. :)
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. :)
Friday, April 30, 2010
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!!!
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!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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.
Monday, April 26, 2010
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
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
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