As a Lynn Alum, it has truly been a pleasure and wonderful experience being able to blog about my student life at Lynn University. I never anticipated nor did I know that I would be doing this when I applied to Lynn four years ago. I forever will remember my life as an undergraduate student because it was four of the best years in my life. If you are a prospective student, a community member, a guest, or just someone checking out my blog feel free to ask me questions or talk to me online. My email is jmcnamara22@gmail.com, my AIM is Jjmac022, my twitter is mcnamara22, and of course you can find me on facebook. I will continuously update you on my search for my future. I recently received a phone call from Grand Canyon University for a Assistant Resident Director position. Who knows what my future holds…it will undoubtably be somewhere where I feel its a “fit”.

Thank you Lynn University, Marketing and Communication Department, Jason Hughes, Debbie Stern, Anthony Bosio, Laura Vann, and Christina Mendoza for giving me the opportunity to talk about whatever I wanted to talk about and making this a memorable experience for me.

Final blog…I love Lynn University and will always be a fighting knight.

I wasn’t really nervous about giving the commencement speach or any part of graduation. Tears really didn’t come down my face because I was lucky on stage to not have the ability to see people in the crowd, i.e. my mom, grandparents, family, and friends. The hardest part of graduation was exitting the gym because you walked down the center isle where all the faculty and staff were aligned to send their congratulations and express how proud they were of us. These are the individuals who helped us get where we are today. It was emotional because sometimes you underestimate how much they care about you or don’t realize the impact they we have on their lives.

Dress in purple, Taryn and I didn’t plan on matching, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Student Government Association. Student Government President truly has been one of the most rewarding leadership positions that I have held in my entire life. I learned so many transferable skills for life after college with the support and guidance from all of the faculty, staff, and my peers on campus. I recognized my executive board this evening for their overwhelming dedication to SGA this year and I took the opportunity to recognize some seniors as well with honor cords and a mortarboard because SGA wouldn’t be where it is today without their help. More importantly, I wouldn’t be the leader and activist for campus change and development that I am without my advisors, Jen and Anthony.

As the end of the year comes to an end I have started to get emotional with the thought of leaving behind a campus that has meant so much to me. However, Taryn obviously thought I needed to get more emotional as she addressed me in her speech prior to presenting me the Hundrieser Fellowship Award. She said, “I have a quote, because we love those this evening!’A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.’ This individual has motivated students through every step he has taken on this campus,” and I thought I was going to tear, but it was when she said “I also had the privilege of speaking to the recipient’s mom today, and she wanted me to tell you this, ‘I love you, and I am so proud of you. Everything you have gotten you have earned, and I’m so lucky,’” that I lost it.  

As recipient of Returning RA of the Year and the Hundrieser Fellowship Award, I have a strong feeling of appreciation and gratitude for what I have earned. Furthermore, to see SGA be recognized as the Organization of the Year and for Civility Week to be Program of the Year, I look back on this past year and I am proud of our dedication, commitment, and passion for being a Lynn student.

Yesterday afternoon at the captains meeting we had six teams signed up. I was getting so nervous. The first place prize was $2500, second place prize was OSI packages, and third place was each team member to receive a digital camera and GPS system. With all the time, energy, and money that we had invested in this project, six teams was not going to work.

We just let the teams off with their list of over 350 riddles and problems to solve. In less than 18 hours from yesterday, our team number grew from 6 to 20. It was unbelievable. The Schmidt building was packed with students, faculty, and staff eager to participate in what will soon be a Lynn tradition. We had the teams, they had the clues, and they were off…

President-Mohamed Abdalla

Vice President- Jennifer Rodriguez

Chief Financial Officer- Armando Castillo

KAT Chair- Zach Welsh

RHA Chair- Steph Hammerman

The two candidates that did not win show a huge amount of dedication, enthusiam, passion and contribution to our university and student involvement on campus. I am so proud of all the candidates that ran for these positions because they raised the bar. They have set new expectations for advertising…who would have thought to have placed sheet banners all over campus and bags lining the sidewalks. Ryan and Henry will be an asset to any leadership position on campus. Their passion for this university is immeasurable. Ryan always says, “If you asked me “Why Lynn?” I would say because of all of you; an experience of this quality is incomparable and priceless.”

Exactly one year ago I was elected into the position of Student Government President. It meant so much to me to have an opportunity to represent the student body. I was running unopposed, but achieving this position connected me with the university. Being President of SGA is no easy task. There are obstacles and challenges that you face each week and I am constantly working with administrators, and people from other campuses and organizations to see how we can improve student life on campus. As SGA President,  it has been an honor to serve the student body and work with all the students to help them achieve their goals and wishes.

Today, although I do not pass over my gavel, it begins to mark an end of my term. I sit here and try to reflect about what has happened and what has been changed, and I am overwhelmed by the accomplishments of SGA. We couldn’t have done what we did this year without the help of Academic Affairs, Student Life, Marketing and Communication, Accounts Payable, Matt Chaloux and the Maintenance Department, and each and every student.

As I set up the polling sites today, and then saw the candidates lined up on the sidewalks that they are able to campaign, it reminded me of the last years in Student Government. Creating advertisements that were new and improved, thinking outside the box, and capturing as many students to select me as the right candidate.

I have worked with both candidates Ryan Brooks and Mohamed Abdalla this year, as they sat on the executive board of SGA. Both of them entered this election with a strong understanding of leadership and what it means to serve as SGA president. Each candidate expressed different ideas, however all their ideas are linked to a central theme: Bringing Together the Lynn Community! To me, this is my home.  My heart and soul is here and it is because of all the people around me that create this caring, considerate, engergetic atmosphere.

Results of the election….to be posted immediately prior to announcement.

It is interesting to observe that some students are not sure how to act or respond when they are kindly handed a water and breakfast. Do you say thank you? Of course you do, be civil. Do a kind act. Be respectful. Civility Week 2009!

RA

Each semester we have to design door decorations for our residents. I always try to think outside of the box and create something that is unique and admirable by the students. This 2nd half of the semester I did Asian Culture…simply using Chinese boxes and chopsticks that were donated by local Chinese restaurants. Residents have raved about them! Their appreciation for what I do keeps me motivated in my role as an RA.

Multicultural Day is a success!

Getting up for a 6am flight this morning was a huge struggle. I stayed up 24 on Tuesday night because my flight leaving Nashville from NACA was at 5:35am. As soon as I returned to campus I went to the annual tradition, Multicultural Day. When I had booked my flight for NACA in January I made sure that I was back in time for this event. It is one of my favorite events that happens on campus every year. When I was visiting Armando in Guatemala, we bought a variety of bracelets, food, and other items unique to Guatemala to put on the table.

Ryan and I got a sampling of food from the variety of countries/regions represented. I am very open to new food dishes afterall, I did go to China and eat jellyfish and other items that are not seen as common food dishes. It is ana amazing event on campus because it really brings the community together. Residents, commuters, faculty, staff, and friends come out to enjoy this great event that I believe showcases one of our greatest values at Lynn University, diversity. With our university representing students from over 90 country, this program really is a huge success.

What added to the enthusiasm and positive environment during the the event was the performance of the Morikami Museum’s “Taiko Drummers”.This entertainment added a cultural awareness and was really powerful.

Morikami Museum’s “Taiko Drummers”