Take Two

Open Houses are kind of like my dogs (since I don’t have children to do this comparison with).  Both are very different, but I love them the same.  Open Houses take on a personality of their own–while the basic routine and schedule are the same, the different variety of people make them so very different, and very special.

This open house was a big one for us, and our families were so amicable and such good listeners (a weird thing to note, but they all followed directions like champs!).  I also had so many different conversations with girls, their parents, grandparents, and the like–I love talking with so many different people, and hearing all of their stories and life lessons.  We also had some awesome hair (KS, I still want to be you when I grow up!), some amazing boots/shoes (girls, you know who you are), and some wonderful families (including one I would love to nominate for Grandmother of the Year!).  All in all, it was an amazing weekend, and we are so grateful that all of our families took the time and the effort to make it down for a visit.

One thing that was different about this open house than in open houses past was our ability to utilize the new Fitness and Athletic Center.  It officially opened up for student use Friday, November 6th, and we had our Academic and Student Activities fair in the field house on Sunday.  IT WAS PERFECT!   I was able to get a birdseye  view for a few minutes from the vantage point of our suspended track–I was amazed not only at how many departments and clubs were represented, but by the fact that they all fit in one space with room to spare.  Amazing

Big shout outs to everyone who made this event possible, and Thank You to all of our students who make putting on these events totally worth it

The House is Open

Open Houses are events here at SBC.  Big, elaborate events.  This weekend we welcomed around 50 families on our campus to tour, explore, and learn more about what makes SB tick.  Each Open House has a different personality, and this group seems very engaged, and very willing to go with the flow.  We had so much fun with all of you–I hope you all enjoyed the experience as well!

While I always enjoy meeting my students face to face, I think my favorite moment of the weekend came when during Coffee with the President a father asked the IT question–”Why a Women’s College?”  I think I could listen to Dr. Parker give her answer to this question a million times over (“Because it’s the best option she has!”), but when she wrapped up one of our parents shared that she was a SB alumna, and gave this beautiful testimonial about how coming back for her reunion 2 years ago she had the opportunity to speak to our Engineering Faculty about our program, and how excited those professors were about teaching in an all female classroom.  The girls were more engaged, more willing to speak out in class, more willing to stretch themselves in terms of their creativity…essentially getting a better education because of their academic surroundings.  For a young woman today, having that opportunity is the best option she has for success in what she want to accomplish in her life.

I wanted to stand up and clap.

I can talk until I’m blue in the face about why Women Colleges are still pertinent, why the Hardwick-Day study is so fascinating, and why I’m a better woman/admissions counselor/sister/daughter/friend/wife/dog-mom because of my experiences at SB, but to have not only our President, but our parents speak to why is almost indescribable.  It’s so powerful and invigorating.

Thanks to everyone who made this weekend possible, and to our prospectives for making this program worth it.  Hoping to see more of you in November!!