Proclamation & A Letter From My 17 Year Old Self

I have talked before about some of the traditions at the University of Richmond. Being a University with a coordinate college system, Richmond College for men and Westhampton College for women, we are able to maintain some traditions unique to our separate colleges. For Westhampton College, one of the traditions is that of Proclamation. Technically a closed off ceremony involving only those women in their first and fourth year, Proclamation is a well known event on our campus. With 350 women wearing white dresses and 350 women wearing black graduation robes, it would be hard for the entire campus not to know about Proclamation.

In this candlelight ceremony which takes place in our Chapel, the new students are accepted into the college and pledge to a code of honor, as befitting a Westhampton student. Yet the most memorable part of the ceremony, which inevitably brings out a myriad of emotions for the fourth years, is a letter. The first year women write a letter to themselves, talking about dreams, expectations, hopes, and their initial reflections upon the new chapter in their lives, which is University. These letters are sealed and gathered up, until the year comes where it is that first year woman in white's turn to done the black robes of a senior and participate once more in the ceremony of Proclamation.

That leads us to this year, particularly the date of September 18th, when it was my turn to done the black robes, and proceed with my dearest friends into the chapel to accept the new class, and ... read my letter.

Not only were we anxious about knowing the contents of our letters, but we were all reminded of the fact that we will soon graduate and leave this University. Some may view Proclamation as the beginning of the end for our time at University of Richmond, but I refuse to frame it as such. It is, in my interpretation, a sign that a new beginning - our lives beyond Richmond - will soon commence. There are so many possibilities out there, that I see it as impossible not to be optimistic about the future.

Funny enough, it is with a similar attitude that I wrote to myself during my first year at University, 9 days before my 18th birthday. After reading my letter I felt happy. The words written on that page were from a girl who truly did not know all that her University experience had in store for her, yet knew that in many ways her life was going to change. The words I had written were oddly (since it is from myself) motivating, reminding me of things that I knew I did not want to forget. To live and to love were the messages in my letter, and to no matter what, follow my heart. As I decide upon the path that my life will follow after my time at University of Richmond I will hold this at the forefront of my thoughts, for a happy heart is a happy soul, and what else does one want from life.

First Football Game of the Year!

When one comes back to one native country after so long away, one notices "the culture", the unique traditions and things that one never noted as significant before. Such has been the case for me, particularly since returning to University of Richmond.

One of the things I now identify as definitely being symbolic of the U.S. is the hype around a football game(By football game, I mean American Football). I had never before put much thought into the concept of a "tailgate" or saying the pledge of allegiance before the beginning of the game. This time around, my perception is different, and I realize the significance.

On the 10th of September University of Richmond played its first home football game against Wagner. Wanting the whole "American" experience a mixed group of domestic and international students got together for a "Tailgate" consisting of hot dogs, cheese burgers, chips, and good company.

This was a great way to get everyone in their full Richmond spirit before heading to the game. By the time of kick off we were all excited to cheer on the Spiders!

University of Richmond Spiders (our Football team) won the game, so it was a triumphant start to the new football season.

Until Next Time!!

The President at University of Richmond

On September 9th, the University of Richmond was honored with the presence of the President of the United States. No matter what your political affiliation, to have the President of the U.S. speak at your University it is a Big Deal.

The news broke on Wednesday the 7th, when the White House officially announced the visit. What is hilarious is that I, being extremely busy with all my classes and jobs, walked into class that day having no idea that anything was different than the day before. When the person sitting next to me said that Obama was going to grace us with his presence within two days time, I simply didn't heed the comment, thinking of it as some sort of bizarre sarcasm. Why would Obama come to University of Richmond? Needless to say when I received the email notification of the visit, I cleared my schedule for the 9th so that I could go to see my President.

The morning of the visit I got a call from a friend, three and a half hours before the event, telling me that the line was spanning the campus, and was already across the lake from where the event would be held. After reaching the end of the line (which really was across the lake) we waited for several hours in order to finally enter the stadium where the President was to speak.

Despite the long wait it was worth it. To see the President of the U.S. run into your University's stadium with his shirts sleeves rolled up, seemingly excited to be there, is truly a unique experience.

Though I always have known life to be unpredictable, this was something that, even expecting the unpredictable, I did not think would happen during my time at the University. The speech he gave that day was on Economics, based off of an address to the nation he had given the night before. And as always, President Obama was a fantastic speaker.

Even after the motorcade zoomed off with the President within it, the whole thing seemed surreal.

Well, like I have always maintained, life is a collection of adventures; this being a superb one for my final year at the University of Richmond.

Until the Next Adventure!

Westhampton College RA Induction

University of Richmond is an amazing school. With a friendly atmosphere and challenging classes it is no wonder that I still like my choice of University years later. One of the things that contributes to this familial atmosphere is the division of the University into two colleges; one for men, one for women. Within both colleges there is a rich history of traditions.

Within Westhampton College, the women's college, one of the traditions is an induction ceremony for those on the Residence life staff.  This ceremony presented itself as a perfect opportunity to shed some light onto my life since returning back to the United States, and in particular Virginia.

The flower of Westhampton College is the Daisy, which in this case was used to represent our commitment to the College. With all due formality we annually line the wooden bridges on either side of the gazebo with daisy carrying Westhampton women.

As a part of the ceremony, after having lined the bridges we, one by one, throw a daisy into the lake with the words, "I commit." These two words signify our commitment to our jobs both as Resident Assistants, and as life long students of Westhampton College.

With our daisies floating on the surface of the water, the new academic year has begun for the Westhampton RAs at the University of Richmond.

And that my friends is a glimpse into the life of a Westhampton College Resident Assistant.

Until Next Time!

Natasha

Back to Virginia!

As is usually the case now, a few weeks after arriving back home in Sarasota, I again packed up for another destination. This time the destination was familiar, and thus the packing was somewhat easier. I was excited to return back to University of Richmond for my final year; excited to see friends and excited for what the year will bring.

Returning back to campus before other students, we RAs had our first excursion away from campus on the 9th of August. For the Westhampton College RAs, (the women's college at University of Richmond) we went to Maymont, which is an American estate bequeathed in order that it become a park that all can visit.

Despite having studied in Richmond for several years I had never before gone to Maymont. With a plethora of secluded gazebos, and flower trellises, it is not surprising that many people from Richmond choose this spot for photographs of special occasions, or for the special occasions themselves.

We were there to do exactly that, take RA photographs for the coming year. These photographs are displayed throughout campus, so it was quite nice having the ambiance of Maymont.

Here we all are in the true Westhampton spirit! 

I hope that my remaining time at the University of Richmond is full of as much laughter and enjoyment as that afternoon in Maymont. With the support and love of my Family(though they are a far distance away), as well as the Friends who never fail to brighten up my day; I am sure that the coming months will be full of times like these.

Until Next Time!

Natasha