TUES 4 MAY 2004
People, not classes, highlight college experience
By Brian PasseyEditor in Chief
It has been 11 long semesters for me (six of them here), and I’m finally graduating. As I reflect over my years at UI, my mind is filled with the things I have learned, not from my books or my classes, but from the people in my life and my experiences here.
I attended a junior college in my hometown before coming to UI, so living away from home was different for me. My first semester here I learned to really appreciate my family. I had not quite settled in socially, and my regular phone calls home were moments I treasured. Thank you Mom, Dad and Becca.
During my second semester, at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, I learned that jazz music is one of America’s greatest cultural treasures. The festival is truly one of the university’s greatest assets and one that should be supported by the whole community. Thank you Doc Skinner and all the rest.
My third semester I learned that sometimes where we want to be is not where we will learn the most. Thank you Jade.
Also during that semester I earned my first C, but I wrote the most important story of my short journalism career for a different class. Through this I learned grades usually are not all that important, but what we gain from our classes is. Thank you Kenton, Beez, Chris, Juandalynn, Walter and Jan.
That same semester I also learned that speeding in Washington can be expensive. Thank you Ms. Whitman County Sheriff Deputy.
As I started writing about people’s lives for my class in feature writing during my fourth semester, I learned that everyone has a story. No matter who the person is, there is something about each of our lives that makes a great story. Thank you Dave and Diane.
This last summer was also an important learning time for me. I relearned the value of service through Paint the Palouse. Thank you Casandra. I also learned of the cleansing power of nature. Thank you Olympic National Park and the rolling hills of the Palouse.
That summer I also learned that a male my age with long hair trying to get into British Columbia by himself might take a long time … even if you do not really have the marijuana they think you do. Thank you Mr. Canadian Border Patrol Dude.
My fifth semester I learned the best leaders are those who consult others in their decisions. Thank you Bishop Huber and Provost Pitcher for the examples, and all the Argonaut editors who helped me make some tough decisions.
That semester I also learned the importance of having “family” to turn to when your blood family is not available. Thank you Marc.
During this semester I have learned that everything goes back to education. If every person were to get a quality education without going deeply in debt to pay for it, the world would be a much better place. Thank you John Kerry for your good ideas, and thank you Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and the Idaho Legislature for your bad examples.
Also this semester I have learned how to better find out who I am, where I’m going and what I want in life. Thank you Katie.
There are also the lessons I’ve learned gradually throughout my stay here. I’ve learned it is OK to believe what your heart tells you is right. I’ve learned the importance of knowing what is happening in the world; it is real and we may not like what we see, but we cannot pretend that bad things are not happening.
I’ve learned the beauty and importance of the arts. Our culture lies in the arts. If we do not want our country to continue being recognized through Britney Spears and Arnold Schwarzeneggar, we must protect and support our music programs, theater classes and our studio arts. Moscow is the Heart of the Arts; take advantage of it.
I’ve learned the importance of diversity — diversity in all ways. It is possible to get along with and even be friends with those very different from you. It does not matter if they are a different religion, a different race, a different sexual orientation, or have a different political background. Almost everyone has some good in them; most people have a lot of it. We can learn from everyone.
And through all my years here I’ve learned that a good day can become better and a bad day can turn out OK if you have someone to share it with. Thank you Katie. Thank you Jess, Emiline, Casandra, Maaike, Joy, Jake, Jacqueline, Christopher, Dave, Jade, Jamia, Tonya and everyone else who has shared my days with me.
Speak Out
QuestionWhat do you believe is the most important national or state wide news event of this year? Why?
“I think the most relevant issue that happened this year would be the university cutting programs like Fine Arts. It isn't necessarily state or national but it does affect people.”
Josh Hawks
freshman
architecture
Pollock
“The bombings in Spain: because 9/11 was such a travesty for our nation and now it has made the whole world aware of the power terrorists have and how we need to deal with them.”
Cody Keener
junior
journalism
Coeur d' Alene
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