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As the road goes on, we must decide whether it is best to accept it or decline it.

Driving home, I suddenly realized my life would drastically change from college student to post-full-time student. No, I had not graduated yet. No, I did not leave a life of academics behind because of smarts. But, it was time for student teaching. The two years of shock and wonder was now at my doorstep. I had everything packed and ready to leave Sydow House, the place I stayed at for merely four months. My body told myself it was time to press on; my heart told me never let go.

Emotionally, it is was tough for me to picture myself no longer an on-campus student. I was only 23 and had only been going on to my 10th semester of college. For all I knew, college lasted 300 semesters and never got old. I was never the kid who wanted out of Spring Arbor because there were not enough “challenges.” I loved my job as a student because it was comfortable and easy to be one. As a student, I could hang out with the people I liked; I was not forced to eat my small lunch with people I never talked to before. I could be late for class and no one would care, and when my roommate asked me if I wanted to go to Denny’s, I would hop up and go without considering the workload I had the next day. I was a college student at Spring Arbor University, and learning could last my entire life if I wanted it to.

Then the day came. I got placed in an elementary school and would begin on schedule. For those who do not know, “placed” means I had been noticed by a teacher and asked to be a student teacher in their classroom. To me, this meant a required semester of waking up at 6am five times a week, dressing professionally, and abandoning my friends to educate 5th graders. While all of the drastic changes were good for my professional life, it was still tough to leave the wonderful world of Spring Arbor for it.

Although the change has been rough, I am thankful for the opportunity to be student teaching at a time I expected to be. I still miss being an on-campus student, but I also recognize the timing of my situation and could not ask f0r better. Sometimes I imagine having my placement getting postponed and I shudder thinking about it. All of the hard work has paid off, and to miss my deadline for student teaching would only signify that I did not accomplish what I had originally set out to do: prepare to be an effective teacher. I am now in my last stage as a college student preparing to go out as a potential teaching candidate, and while it is scary, it is my last stop in my college journey.

I am still young and enthusiastic, my mind is still in college student mode, and I still treat 5th graders as if they are my friends. I still have many things to learn about the education field, and I am sure there will be things I will learn the hard way and the easy way. However, there is no better time than to start now.

Start writing your life today,

Josh

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If someone were to visit Spring Arbor University, such as the many families this past weekend who were on campus for Senior Expedition, that someone might hear the clinking and clanging of construction workers hammering away at the expansion of the Kresge Student Center.

Construction on new student center!

The student center has been in need of expansion for years now and SAU has finally started construction on the expansion. It is slated to be finished in Fall 2012. The new student center will expand the dining commons so more students can fit in for lunch, a bigger gaming room and lounge for students to hang out in and an expanded bookstore so you can “ooh” and “aww” over even more SAU apparel! You can see that, and much more, next year in the new student center!

I’m glad that I’ll have at least one year in the new student center! I’m super excited! I’m jealous of the freshmen next year who get to spend time in the student center for (at least) four years!

Be sure to stop by and see the progression of the new student center through the year! And for sure stop by and see the student center when it is finished this coming Fall!

God bless!

- Mark

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Colored Pancakes provided by Dustin Schwartz

If there is any individual who accurately portrays the image of what a Spring Arbor University (SAU) student should look like, it is Dustin Schwartz. His ability to lead, inspire, and motivate are coherent and his consistency in all he does is evident. His hard-working personality, “go get ‘em” spirit, and maturity goes far beyond the expectations and assumptions of outsiders looking in (anyone outside of college life). Dustin takes his academics seriously, not only advocating temporal learning, but being an active participant as a life-long learner (as stamped on the University Concept).

K-Houses RA Dustin Schwartz preparing for his pancake brunch event

However, the character and integrity Dustin emits is not only what makes him an asset to SAU; it is also his involvement on campus that makes him extremely important. Under his belt is a Peer Advisor (PA) for two years and a Resident Assistant (RA) for another two. He has been in charge of approximately 40 gentlemen in Steeby House during his senior year and currently another 38 gentlemen in the K-Houses. As a PA, Dustin has encouraged, inspired, motivated, and connected with over 20 freshmen, helping them experience college in a completely new way. Not only has Dustin been a leader in these roles, but he also works under Damon Seacott, who is assistant to President Chuck Webb.

While Dustin does have plenty of credentials to make any fellow student concur that he has made a conscious effort to lead campus faithfully, it is his interactions with the people around him that truly stick. One of the ways Dustin is able to interact with campus is through house or village-inclusive events.

This past weekend, Dustin held a pancake brunch for all K-House members. Dustin worked hard, purchasing plenty of pancake mix and  juice satisfy the needs of 38 K-House residents and even went a step further making blue and red pancakes. While it is unknown whether Dustin will reveal his secret recipe to making colored pancakes, there is no doubt he will go down as one of the most productive, loyal, hard-working, and consistent student-leaders SAU has been blessed to have.

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