Student Union

Dr Virgil, thank you for such a wonderful introduction—

Chancellor Wrighton, distinguished guests, members of the Eliot Society:

Thank you for the generous support that you continue to show Washington University students. I am truly humbled to be among you this evening. The Opening Doors to the Future scholarship initiative is an important step in the University’s Plan for Excellence. Even though these times of financial difficulty have impacted us all in some form or another, each of you has recognized the importance of investing in Washington University students. That is truly remarkable, and absolutely commendable. Please give yourselves a round of applause.

Each of you knows that Washington University is most successful when people with different backgrounds and different life experiences come together, where all can fully access the University and prepare for lives of meaning and purpose beyond. Some of you are alumni. Some of you are parents. And some of you are friends that want to see Washington University succeed. Whatever our relation to this institution, we are all connected by our love for and investment in Washington University.

For me, it is a love that began nearly four years ago, when I made my first visit as a high school senior. This visit was not during a special recruitment weekend. Rather, this visit was on a random day in November when the weather was cold, the sky was grey, and rain drizzled throughout the day. Though the weather seemed to be against me, I fell in love with Washington University. It was the people. It was the beauty of the campus that stood out despite the weather. It was the fact that I could envision myself being a member of this community. I’m sure most of you may also recall your first encounter with Washington University. And if so, you can join me in noting that there is something contagious about this place. I wanted so badly to be here. But even standing on campus on that dreary day in November, I knew that I could not be here without scholarship support.

I am a first generation college student that comes from a family of nine children. When my mother graduated from high school, she had no plans to pursue higher education. She received her diploma and immediately went to work as a sales associate in a department store—a job she did not keep for very long.

My father dropped out of high school. When he was twenty years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. When he returned home he had no time to think about higher education or getting his GED. Instead, he went to work as a repairman for the phone company to support his family—a job that he held for nearly forty years until this past June when he finally retired.

I grew up in a very traditional household. My mom was a housewife and my dad was the only source of income. In addition to supporting their own, older children, my parents also raised three of their grandchildren alongside me as I grew up.

My parents did not have the means, resources, or knowledge to plan for my college education. I vividly remember a conversation that I had with my father when I was 15 years old. He placed both of his hands on my shoulders and looked me directly in the eyes. He said, “Son, we want you to go to college, but you will have to earn a scholarship because we cannot afford it.”

“We cannot afford it.”

These words mark the reality of nearly 200,000 students a year who want to go to college, who are smart enough to go to college, who would achieve success beyond their family’s imagination if only they could get to college—but are not able to because of financial circumstances.

I could have been one of those students. That is why I am eternally grateful to people like Sandy Lowentheil, who made it possible for me to receive the Thomas Eliot scholarship. That is why I owe a debt of gratitude to companies like the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation who made it possible for me to be a John B. Ervin scholar.

Scholarship support has meant everything to my family and me. My education has been fully paid for. And because I have such generous scholarship support, I am compelled, but more importantly, I am able to give back to the University as a student. Scholarship support is why I have been able to be so involved on campus. I give so much to Washington University, because Washington University and its friends have given so much to me.

During the past three years, I have been deeply involved with the Student Admissions Committee, the Orientation Executive Board, the Washington University Television station, and Student Union—all involvements which have culminated in my being elected as the student body President this year. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to serve my peers and to promote a more active and civically engaged student body. Increasing the number of active students is important because they will eventually form an alumni base that will continue to be supportive and seek ways to make this institution better.

While immersing myself in the richness of my undergraduate experience, I have worked with so many great students from so many different backgrounds, many of whom make significant impacts on the University, and many of whom receive scholarship support, like me. I am happy to know that this scholarship initiative will open the door for future students to come and both enjoy and enrich the University as I hope I have.

As I prepare to transition my majors in computer science and philosophy to postgraduate work in public policy and government, I will never forget Washington University or the individuals who made it possible for me to attend. I do not know exactly what my future entails, but I truly hope it puts me in a position to give back to the University as generously as each of you have.

Thank you again for your support.