2008 Woodie Awards
Future holds new possibilites for grads
By Alyssa McCormick
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Focus
Others, like graduate student Heather Costello, who will be getting her MA in College Student Personnel, are not sure how they feel about leaving.
"I have mixed feelings about leaving SRU," Costello said. "I really value education and being able to focus on my own development, but now it is time for me to move from being a student to being a professional. Although taking on a new career and moving to a new location is an exciting adventure, I definitely have concerns about putting it all together and taking on more responsibility. I am just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best."
Costello said she is searching for a job across the country for a position in student affairs.
And though graduation is a big deal for the students, it is also a big deal for professors who have watched their students grow and develop throughout their years at SRU.
"It's a very mixed feeling watching them go," said Jennifer Sanftner, an associate professor of psychology. "They grow and change so much over the four years they are here. It's wonderful to be able to be a part of that process, and it's very exciting seeing them accomplish so much. But then it is very sad to say goodbye. I (will) really miss some of them."
Though sometimes difficult, some professors said they feel proud knowing that they have played a role in helping the students reach their goals.
"I am amazed at the growth my students' experience," said Anne Slanina, an associate professor of elementary/early childhood education. "They come in looking like kids and leave as poised, confident educators. I am overjoyed for them when they have reached their goals and know that I had a small part to play in the realization of their dreams. I feel very proud of my students when they graduate."
Some students said they feel that they have really grown and have learned a lot, including how to do laundry, since they began as college freshmen.
"I think I have learned a lot about myself over the years," Costello said. "I think I am more independent than I used to be. I learned how to separate my goals from other influences. I also learned to be persistent and not to brush long-term goals aside for short term goals."
Some students also said their years at SRU have helped them identify who they are by helping them to do things they otherwise would not have experienced.
"I think the most important thing I have learned was to step outside my comfort zone and to learn about all people, things, and ideas," Yost said. "Overall, this has helped me to identify who and what I am."
"I have mixed feelings about leaving SRU," Costello said. "I really value education and being able to focus on my own development, but now it is time for me to move from being a student to being a professional. Although taking on a new career and moving to a new location is an exciting adventure, I definitely have concerns about putting it all together and taking on more responsibility. I am just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best."
Costello said she is searching for a job across the country for a position in student affairs.
And though graduation is a big deal for the students, it is also a big deal for professors who have watched their students grow and develop throughout their years at SRU.
"It's a very mixed feeling watching them go," said Jennifer Sanftner, an associate professor of psychology. "They grow and change so much over the four years they are here. It's wonderful to be able to be a part of that process, and it's very exciting seeing them accomplish so much. But then it is very sad to say goodbye. I (will) really miss some of them."
Though sometimes difficult, some professors said they feel proud knowing that they have played a role in helping the students reach their goals.
"I am amazed at the growth my students' experience," said Anne Slanina, an associate professor of elementary/early childhood education. "They come in looking like kids and leave as poised, confident educators. I am overjoyed for them when they have reached their goals and know that I had a small part to play in the realization of their dreams. I feel very proud of my students when they graduate."
Some students said they feel that they have really grown and have learned a lot, including how to do laundry, since they began as college freshmen.
"I think I have learned a lot about myself over the years," Costello said. "I think I am more independent than I used to be. I learned how to separate my goals from other influences. I also learned to be persistent and not to brush long-term goals aside for short term goals."
Some students also said their years at SRU have helped them identify who they are by helping them to do things they otherwise would not have experienced.
"I think the most important thing I have learned was to step outside my comfort zone and to learn about all people, things, and ideas," Yost said. "Overall, this has helped me to identify who and what I am."
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