Post-College: 9 Years

It was a special day 9 years ago when I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University, a day that capped off an extraordinary experience that has given me enough to live out for a lifetime.  It was also the event that inspired the launch of this blog, in which I continue reflecting on life and the world around me, just as I did on a weekly basis while at ValpU.

One notable event that has happened recently in the past year is President Padilla's inauguration.  As I noticed with some of his messages when he was starting as president earlier in 2021, he demonstrated lots of energy and drive in his inaugural address.  He spoke so highly of all the sectors of the ValpU community, and exhorted the community to be bold in going forward, especially with the strategic plan, to make a significant impact as an institution.

I recognize that there was so much about my ValpU experience that had an impact on me:  My studies of meteorology have given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of what happens in the atmosphere above and what we experience at the surface.  Weather is more than just small talk for me, but something wondrous.  I also tapped into the reflective side of my personality, especially as I think about how I mused about life and the world around me in other classes, particularly in Christ College.

I marvel at how I formed deep friendships at Valparaiso University that persist to this day, spanning the years and the miles.  Over the past year, I have attended two weddings, both of which were for ValpU friends, Tyler and Zach.

Attending those weddings was a great chance to catch up with other friends like Matthew and Roy.  Being in the presence of my friends instantly reconnected me with our shared experiences on the fields of ValpU, stirring my heart and making me powerfully aware of the deep bonds we formed there and continue to experience.  It has been so wonderful to be present with my friends as they celebrate significant occasions in their lives and expand the circle of friendship with their spouses they met in their post-ValpU years.  It's also exciting to anticipate the day when my friend Roy becomes a dad, and to follow and support him as I can during the time of his wife Rogenique's pregnancy.

Here I pose with Roy, on the left, and Matthew, on the right, at the reception for Leslie and Tyler's wedding.  I'm wearing the same suit and tie I wore 9 years ago at my ValpU graduation.  I'm fairly certain Rogenique took this photo.

From left to right are Matthew, Roy, and Zachary, during our photo time at the Historic Lake County Courthouse before Heather and Zach's wedding.

Indeed, as I emerged into adulthood, college defined me in many important ways, most especially fostering in me a profound new embrace of faith.  I acknowledged in my newfound understanding and zeal that faith is a great gift that is meant to be shared.  And so I began teaching Religious Education during the first school year following graduation, and have continued it every year since.

After getting established in teaching the first couple of years, I have developed a certain tradition of speaking to my student about Sacred Tradition, which is about how faith is a gift that has been handed down to us.  

To illustrate this idea, I teach my students what Father Kevin taught me at St. Teresa's: P-A-R-T-Y! Party Hard with Jesus Christ!  He shared once that it came from his days as a cheerleading coach.  My students have largely gotten very enthralled with this "cheerleading routine".  

Kim, my class aide for this most recent year, enthusiastically got on board with P-A-R-T-Y.  At the final class, she surprised me with a shirt bearing P-A-R-T-Y! Party Hard with Jesus Christ!

I was super touched by the gesture, and the realization of how I've been able to connect with my students and let zeal of faith I gained in college rub off on them.  And as a counterpoint to the raging nature of an infectious virus spreading across statelines, I'm glad to say that I've been able to spread the infectious joy of faith across statelines with P-A-R-T-Y! 

As I reflect on my ValpU graduation 9 years ago, and the whole of the experience, I recall that I was at a nexus point, ending one phase of my life, and entering a new phase.  I have often regarded how fitting it was that my graduation was on Pentecost Sunday as I marvel at the work of the Holy Spirit, leading me to greater academic knowledge and also enhanced knowledge of God that has led me into a deeper, life-giving relationship with Him.

I give thanks to God that in this new post-college phase for the opportunities to pass on gifts I received that I was called to act upon, especially faith, and the blessing it has been to connect with others on the journey.

Here I am with the P-A-R-T-Y shirt.  Kim is to the left.  To the right is her daughter Elle, who was one of my students 3 years ago when she was in 8th grade.  Thank you to my Dad for this photo.

While blurry from being extracted from mobile phone video, here I am leading my class in P-A-R-T-Y.  Kim recorded the video of me, and here is a screenshot.