The Grand Premiere!

I realize I could have just titled it "My First Blog," but I feel that "The Grand Premiere" sounds far more exciting. So many things to say, and a mere few minutes to type them in. The semester has been going really well, thus far. My roommate and I are still getting along fabulously, which always makes life easier, and by "easeier" I mean bearable. In a few minutes, I have callbacks for the fall play, "Flowers for Algernon." Whether or not I get a part, I'm costuming the show and will really enjoy staying involved. I feel that If I'm not doing something theatrical at all times, the world falls down around me. See how dramatic that statement was? I was born for this. You will find out next Tuesday if I got a part. I know. You can hardly handle the excitement. I suggest filling your time with reading up on all of my old columns from this year and last. I have a humor column in The Sounding Board, Grace's newspaper. I have a lot of fun writing it. My goal is that you have a lot of fun reading it. This post is going to be shorter than most, as I must away to the theatre to wow the director with my dramatic skills. That's the idea anyway. Have a lovely day. Keep on truckin'!

I love my family

Wow, it’s been a month since I’d been home and I was starting to miss my family and friends, so I was excited to hear they were coming to see me this past weekend. As soon as they got here, I helped unload the car that was filled with homemade goodies!! Mama’s cooking!!! After a quick walk around campus, we decided to go down to the lake (Winona Lake) and play beach volleyball. There were a lot of people there ready for action. Several of the guys from my brother hall (the guys’ dorm that my hall is matched up with) were there to play. We played until the sun set over the water. Quite a sight to see! We headed back to the dorm and there were free root beer floats being given away (compliments of a local church)—can’t go wrong there!! We ordered some pizza and the people came running. The lobby was packed with football, cards, and pizza. The perfect trio. Then… oh wait… we wanted more ice cream so we headed over to Ritter’s—the best frozen custard in town—and we indulged once again! My family and friends loved Grace and I loved that they could come see the beautiful campus during the fall season. It’s probably a good thing they don’t come every weekend. The Freshman 15 weight gain would hit me as a Junior. ;)

Ambassadors

I just stopped down at the visitors center to ask the "Wonderful" Wanda and the "Lovely" Lee Ann some question (they run the office and take care of all visitors). While there a couple of the student workers (ambassadors) popped their heads out of the room to say hi. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to rub shoulders with this batch of students. I think they're awesome! Not only do they help contact potential students but they give tours and spend time with visitors. For me personally it is always so refreshing to chat with them, feed off their energy, and learn from them. I'm thankful that I get to share the office with them and hear about the stuff they are experiencing as students at Grace. It keeps me feeling young (which of course I am!!) and also keeps me in touch with what's going on around campus. Thanks for all you do, Ambassadors!!

A Cabaret!

This weekend some of our students are performing a cabaret on campus. The show is a combination of music, comedy, and talent. Some of the songs came from Broadway, some came from popular artists, and one was even written by a Grace student...

I went last night and had a GREAT time. I love seeing people utilize and enjoy the talents & abilities with which God has blessed them. I have some friends in the production, so I almost went hoarse from cheering. My favorite number was a rendition of "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" from Annie Get Your Gun. Christi Mann and David Lepor were the performers and they had great chemistry on stage.

If you are a Grace student reading this, go see the show this weekend! If you're a visitor to our website, then come visit us so you can see awesome productions like the cabaret!

Remember 9-11

Earlier today, Dr. Manahan spoke at Convocation on the paralells between the world we currently live and those written in Isaiah 6:1-8. Dr. Manahan illustrated his point through some photographs from the terrorist attack seven years ago today in New York City, Washington, D.C., and near Pittsburgh, Pa.

I was working at the time in Pittsburgh and vividly remember the day when airliners hit the Twin Towers in New York and at the Pentagon. The plane that landed less than one hour from my suburban Pittsburgh office caused the most fear among us because we considered evacuating the campus since the plane was in "Pittsburgh airspace."

But today, Dr. Manahan used the historical events from seven years ago to frame a talk about change and how Grace College students must seek knowledge from classes, but not at the detriment of missing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Such a relationship will result in the ultimate change in our lives.

How will your life be changed by attending Grace College? How has your life changed since 9-11?

Let me know by posting a comment to this blog.

So, for my first convocation as a Grace administrator, I found the hour meeting quite memorable, emotional and convicting.

Who are the bloggers?

Some people have asked the question, who are the bloggers? Well, the bloggers are members of the enrollment division at Grace College (seen to the right). They are, from left, Matt Little, Mark Weinstein, and Cara McNamara. All three have joined the Grace team since April 2008.

We're having a lot of fun sharing our thoughts and experiences at Grace College. You should join us.

Write on!

Fall Sports

It was a beautiful morning as I walked over to work today. Very crisp. Fall is in the air...corn maze anyone? I love a corn maze in the fall....being from Iowa its very natural for me : )But fall also means some great sports: soccer, football, volleyball, cross-country, and tennis. Which speaking of football...be sure to weigh in on the poll we have going on regarding this weekends big game: Ohio State vs. USC. We have a big OSU fan in the office......not me! I'm excited about this afternoons men's and women's soccer games. On Saturday there was a GREAT student turnout for the game. They had faces painted, bagpipes, drums, colored hair, and lots of energy. It was awsome! I'm sure that there will be another large group of students there today to energize the rest of the fans and students. Of course I love the men's soccer team because my husband is the assistant coach!!!
Well, I'm off to lunch (one of the best parts of the work day) and hitting up a big clothing sale at a local store.

Excitement

What a morning it has been on campus. There is so much excitement about the start of the new year among the students and faculty. I could just see it while I walked to the Orthopaedic Capital Center. WOW--great fun!

The admissions team, which is now called "The A-Team" met with the athletic staff this morning. The A-Team understands the importance of athletics and how it plays in the fabric of college life.

You should come for a Lancer athletic event soon. It's a wonderful experience!

Perfect Alumnus

Everyone knows that most Grace College alumni are typically happy people. Today, perhaps there is no one more happy than former Grace basketball great Doug Noll. Why? Not because he will be in the first class of the Grace athletic hall of fame, but because he just shot a hole-in-one this afternoon at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Leo, Indiana. I just finished talking with Doug on the phone, in between holes, and he shared the news of his perfect shot. This is the second time in his life that he's recorded a hole-in-one (1973).

Noll, the assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants basketball team (affiliated with the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons) aced the Par 3, 115-yard hole at Cedar Creek.

Interesting Challenge

What a day it was today, trying to help an international student come to Grace. With classes just underway and some paperwork still to be processed, time was short to make it happen.

By the end of the day, though, we were successful. And the benefit was very rewarding when I gave him his class schedule. A big smile encompassed his face and it was clear to see his excitement of pursuing a bachlelor's degree. Last year he completed an associates degree at an area junior college--but now he is building upon his education.

That's just one reason why I work in higher education. It is very rewarding to help our students and future leaders!

In the beginning...

Today is the start of the 2008-09 academic year. Without question, it has been a year of transition, both for me as well as for the entire enrollment division at Grace College. Over the past five months, the College has hired five new people in admissions--the bulk of them are outstanding counselors. I am sure they'll do a great job of bringing in quality students to Grace.

Immediately following lunch, Matt Rupple, a junior from Defiance, Ohio and Lindsey Eilbacher, a sophomore from Centerburg, Ohio take a break to enjoy the day and each others' company by throwing the frisbee. Also attached is Jenn Gaylor, one of the newest admissions counselors talking with Sarah Humberd, a senior from York, PA about her plans after graduation. Take a look at these videos and see why I am so excited about the upcoming year in the Enrollment division. The staff and student staff members are great people--they just like learning, growing and working together.

After lunch today, I met with the student ambassadors, our group of students who interact with prospective students when they come on campus--or on the telephone. What an impressive group of young leaders!

In our post-lunch meeting, we talked about transitional items for the department and touched on some very aggressive, or stretch goals for our area. They all seemed excited about our future and playing a role in reaching our goals. I am sure they will even exceed my expectations.

It is going to be a great year!