A Reception

Katie D.

January 21, 2012 - 8:12 PM

Usually I know exactly how I'll write my blogs. This time I'm a little nervous about telling this story without sounding conceited or too self-congratulatory. So let me just preface this by saying I want to write this blog, but I'm not sure how it'll turn out. I'm feeling a bit shy.

The Honors College, Law School, and Office of the President held a reception in honor of my Mitchell Scholarship success on Thursday evening. There was a celebration of a UO student succeeding in an honored scholarship like this, and various people spoke to my career as a student here. David Frank, Honors College Dean, spoke of my commitment to social justice and my work with Inside-Out, the Serbu Book Club, and my work with Sister Helen. My undergraduate thesis advisors, Louise Bishop and Steve Shankman, spoke of my academic work, my curiosity, and my dedication to scholarship. And then UO President Bob Berdahl spoke about the importance of these distinguished scholarships, and how excited the campus was to be sending me off to Ireland next year.

Then I had a chance to speak just a few of my thank-yous and express my gratitude to those people who have helped me most in my time at the University of Oregon. I could have spoken for hours, but I did mention the key folks in those few minutes: David Frank, Shaul Cohen, Louise Bishop, Steve Shankman, and Warren Light.

As embarrassing as it was to have the spotlight that way, it was also enormously flattering and humbling to be celebrated and honored by all these amazing people who have made my success possible.

There was almost an hour of mingling and chatting as well. The CRES program was present in force, and I appreciate their support and their pride in me. I was particularly honored that the administrative folks from CRES came, as did the office staff in the Honors College. Some of my favorite people on campus are the administrative staff people, who deserve the real credit for making the university run. In any event, I was honored to have both Michael Moffitt, Dean of the Law School, and Kata Bahnsen-Reinhardt, the person who has been responsible for CRES logistics for my time in the Master's program.

In addition to mingling, there was a cake. With my name on it. Sheesh.

I'm having a hard time expressing the mix of emotions I've felt through this. I am thrilled that the University feels so proud of my scholarship, and that I am launching into next year in the name of the UO, as well as in my own right. I suppose the disconnect arrives since I hadn't really expected the attention, and it makes me feel a bit embarrassed. Especially the cake, for some reason.

But here is a point of pride, and an enormous gift I was given on Thursday. There is a new "Honor Wall" which has been installed in Johnson Hall, celebrating the distinguished scholars who have received Rhodes, Marshall, and now Mitchell Scholarships. So there is now a permanent plaque in the entryway of the President's Office with my name and picture on it.

Now in fact as well as feeling, I've become a permanent part of this place.