This coming Friday is October 31st, Halloween, 2014. It’s also significant for one other reason: 100 years ago exactly, when playing the University of Kentucky wildcats, the Cincinnati “Bearcat” was born. You may know the story if you’ve ever visited the Bearcat statue outside the east entrance to Fifth Third Arena. |
It’s exciting to be a student for an anniversary like this. I only wish I could skip co-op to head over to the TUC steps on Friday and try some of the Servatii’s cake in the shape of a Bearcat’s head.
There are other big anniversaries coming up, too. 2019 marks the bicentennial of the university, and though I’ll be long gone by then, next year’s freshmen will be there to mark the occasion.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to be a retreat leader at Camp Bearcats, a camp designed by students and for students – specifically, first years. As the facilitator for our Traditions pillar, I got to share some of this exciting history with our campus’ up-and-coming leaders. We’ve got quite a lot to brag about here at UC: some of the longest-running athletic rivalries, highest-ranked academic programs, and most famous alumni at any college here in the USA.
It’s exciting to be a part of this storied tradition. Which begs the question...
There are other big anniversaries coming up, too. 2019 marks the bicentennial of the university, and though I’ll be long gone by then, next year’s freshmen will be there to mark the occasion.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to be a retreat leader at Camp Bearcats, a camp designed by students and for students – specifically, first years. As the facilitator for our Traditions pillar, I got to share some of this exciting history with our campus’ up-and-coming leaders. We’ve got quite a lot to brag about here at UC: some of the longest-running athletic rivalries, highest-ranked academic programs, and most famous alumni at any college here in the USA.
It’s exciting to be a part of this storied tradition. Which begs the question...
Wile celebrating our history, what are we doing to make history of our own?
Times are changing here at UC, there’s no question about it. Unprecedented growth in numbers and quality of the incoming class, programs in all colleges jumping up in the rankings. It’s all very cool stuff- but I ask myself: what am I personally doing to lay the groundwork for the next 100 years?
Finding a place to make your mark as a student is no easy feat. The things I’ve spent countless hours working on - career fairs, shuttle services, outreach to students - these things are important, but where is the permanence?
The trick is that every little contribution matters. A university doesn’t transform overnight. It takes a little effort here, a little change there, and a whole lot of listening. I think I’ve done some of this already, but there’s always room to dig a little more.
It’s unfortunate, because as student leaders it is hard to see our contribution over only a 4 or 5 year span. But every bit counts, and we are the ones who today are making history for the university.
Finding a place to make your mark as a student is no easy feat. The things I’ve spent countless hours working on - career fairs, shuttle services, outreach to students - these things are important, but where is the permanence?
The trick is that every little contribution matters. A university doesn’t transform overnight. It takes a little effort here, a little change there, and a whole lot of listening. I think I’ve done some of this already, but there’s always room to dig a little more.
It’s unfortunate, because as student leaders it is hard to see our contribution over only a 4 or 5 year span. But every bit counts, and we are the ones who today are making history for the university.
Happy Halloween, and happy birthday to the one-and-only University of Cincinnati Bearcat!