by Jolene Audrey Rueden

Senior Communication Major from Brillion, Wisconsin

Oh, how the years have gone by!  I don’t know about you, but it is times like this that remind me that life truly is amazing!

Of all the wonderful things that our Ripon College liberal arts education has taught us, one thing is definite – it has prepared us for change.

Just think of the changes we’ve seen in the last few years. 

For starters, we began all of these changes with a new President, Dr. David Joyce and his lovely wife, Lynn, who joined us when we were first year students.  The Hughes Welcome Center is now the home of Admissions.  We can work out while watching TV in the Bovay fitness center.  Those ugly, or shall I say interesting, grates are finally off the windows of Todd Wehr.  An entirely new residence hall is nearly completed (by the way I am jealous of those of you who get to live in there next year.)  Great Hall was beautifully remodeled.  We now have a Starbucks, and now some of us are broke.   And to demonstrate Ripon’s commitment to service and to community, we now have an office of community engagement which is heavily utilized. 

Yet, none of these changes on the campus compare in importance to the greatest change that took place over the last four years, and that change is something that took place right here.  No, I don’t mean the stage that I’m standing on today - - I’m talking about us.  It’s us as a community – but even more so – it is each of us individually.  Each of us have left our footprints here and have made this community what it is.  The greatest change is what took place inside each of us - internally.  We have grown, we have loved, we have learned, we have struggled, we have rejoiced and we have made it to this day not because any person has told us we had to (although that might have helped) but when it all boils down – we are here today because a class of college students accepted change while holding steadfast to the principles that Ripon College was founded on, that of inner strength of character, of humble service and leadership, and a light of fire that cannot be put out.  Because no matter what anyone can tell us – we have that Ripon spirit and it is a part of who we are.  But who are we? 

The other day, as I was packing up my dorm room, I mean, my residence hall room.  I was stuffing, and shoving, and literally jamming all of my belongings and memories into all kinds of boxes, and a feeling of sadness with a simultaneous feeling of excitement swept over me because I knew that I would soon be opening these boxes again to start a new beginning – I thought to myself – wow, it’ll be like Christmas time all over again.  Of course, Christmas reminded me of presents.  Then in what I am calling a moment of enlightenment – it came to me!  You know - our life is kind of like a present.  And, presents are usually are in the shape of a box.  And, a box has six sides just like our life does.

Honest – and I will tell you how!

The four fundamental elements to our life: social, mental, physical, and spiritual/religious side are represented by the four upright sides of the box.  They are the sides that are essential for a healthy well-balanced life that allows us to stay full of spirit and vigor.  And, of course, a box has a bottom, or foundation (which keeps us strong), and a top, which represents those who we look up to. 

Ok, let’s break it down. 

First, let’s look at our social side.

At Ripon our social life is very unique, and, for better or for worse, it seems that everyone knows everybody.  You don’t just see someone once and then never again.  You’ll see someone in class, then out at night, then at Comm Plus, or the CLC, or whatever it’s now called, then at the commons, and although you may not know every little detail about these people’s lives – we all shared that common sense of family that binds us together and is central to the Ripon experience.  (After all we are “more together”)  And just like a family – we may go our separate ways, but the bonds of family are strong.  When I think about all of us in the senior class and the moments I have spent with you – I can’t help but think – wow, we are going to have some fun family reunions! 

But before we start thinking about reunions, we must first realize that social relationships are meaningless if they’re not guided by our Mental side. 

Our mental side is what allows us to think before we speak.  If you think about it, we were born with two ears and only one mouth – I think someone was trying to tell us that listening to others is twice as important as being the one who does all the talking. 

When I think about my mental side, I am reminded of a wise man who once said:  “The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.” 

I am also reminded of a very wise woman who once said: “The more you learn, the more you realize that your parents really were right.”  That wise woman was my mom; thanks mom for making sure I always stood up straight, washed behind my ears, said thank you, and for being my guiding light.  Thanks mom, and to all the moms out there: Happy Mothers Day!!!  (graduates all joined in)

Next, we have our physical side.

A liberal arts education is about both mind and body, yet, we all know that college students sometimes are not that kind to our bodies.  The stress of exams and papers, the late nights studying, and the late nights of drinking too much….Starbucks, to stay awake of course!  All of this takes a toll on our physical side.  But we should not forget that leading an active lifestyle is important to the health of our physical side. 

Realize that being healthy also includes setting aside time for our spiritual growth.

This brings us to our spiritual or religious side.

No matter your faith or set of beliefs, we all have some larger sense of purpose and a passion that drives us.  It is also our passions that free us.  Never allow the monotony of everyday life or a set schedule to stifle your spiritual side.

Find your passion and make that your freedom. 

This brings us to the foundation of the box.

Without a foundation, our four sides cannot be held up.  Without a foundation to hold its shape, we’ll all have a pretty sad looking present.  For us, our foundation has come from within, but also from our friends and family who have been there to experience the moments of laughter and to comfort us through the tears.  They held us together even when we thought we were falling apart.  They saw something in you that they believed in – and remember you saw something in them as well.  We are each other’s foundations.

The top of our box consists of those we look up to and strive to model our actions after.  These role-models may be your parents, a particular professor, or someone that entered your life for a mere moment but said something to you that inspired or encouraged you.  It’s because of these people that we have the courage to truly be ourselves, and to open ourselves up to be of service to others.

The sides, the foundation, and top – make up a present that is as valuable as we make it.  You can buy all the pretty wrapping paper or bows that you want – but the true value comes from that spirit that shines from within. 

Let’s face it – no one likes to get the exact same present twice – so in the words of one my role-models, Lynne Joyce: Be Authentic!  And Be Yourself!  Be a unique gift to those around you so that they’ll want to show you off to others. 

What good is a present that is never given to someone and is never opened? 

So, go out there!  Give of yourself to your community and those around you, and you will receive numerous gifts in return. 

I ask you:  What gift are you giving to the world?  And, when it’s opened – what will others see?   

I hope they see: lots of love, some passion, whole lot of Ripon spirit, and one big authentic Rippin’ Good smile!