While writing the final blog post about our summer journey; connecting alumni, family, faculty and friends to each other and to Wittenberg, I had to take a break. A break that allowed me to reflect on the 33-day tour, our goals, our mission but mostly to engage in something that was moving and incredibly rewarding, so old-school Wittenberg. Something that allowed us to get back to the basics of who we are, why we are here and to illustrate the core values of the 'Wittenberg' many of us know and love.
Our experience with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition exemplified the true meaning of Wittenberg and the motto we so frequently quote, "Having Light We Pass It On To Others," many times not really knowing what this means or uncertain of the impact this has on people in our own community and the world. We all need to take time to examine the motto and reflect upon how each of us "Pass It On," making the world a better and brighter place. Take a look, see what you find, make a difference!
Now back to my Witt Nation 2009 - Engage final post...And So It Goes...
It was not like any ordinary road trip. It was a journey that created excitement, a journey that was an interesting adventure for our young alumni travelers and a journey that allowed time for reflection. Witt Nation 2009 - Engage- brought students, faculty, staff and alumni together. This year, being part of the crew, added a new dimension to the tour for me.
MY JOURNEY
Riding for miles in the van, listening to multiple iPods with great song selections, sunglasses, rotating drivers, co-pilots and faculty members, bonding with the crew, pictures, videos, events...it all became part of the 'experience.' Anytime I would take over as the driver or even co-pilot, they knew we were in for a true adventure. Atlas in hand, Jill-the GPS turned off, sun beaming through the cracked windshield, my trustworthy assistant, Jon Duraj, or now known as Dur-E-Tiss riding shotgun, music set to our favorites, stops were limited and we were in control.
Part of our job, as we were the 'fresh' members, was to relieve the crew so they could relax, work and sleep. My first wonderful experience (besides the trip to Taco Bell in Palo Alto) was taking the 'long and winding road' down Highway 1. They were all thrilled. 17 Mile Road first, you have to see Pebble Beach, then on to the best-of-the-best, BIG SUR. You could lose yourself in thought with the breathtaking views that were all part of this leg of the journey. So what if it was 3 hours 'out of our way,' I looked at it as 'in the way' and we needed to experience all we could. It was a great drive, one I will never forget.
The next leg they allowed me to drive was through Utah. It was a risky decision on their part. However, they were tired from Vegas! It was just fabulous. The geological formations were absolutely amazing. As we drove through the mountains in Colorado and watched the scenery change from the red rock to the lush green mountainous terrain, I thought, "what a beautiful part of the country." As we made our descent into Denver, from a distance it looked like a million fireflies dancing in the sky. Back to civilization, they were only the tail lights from all of the cars on I-70!
HOSPITALITY
We would like to thank the alumni who were so gracious to host the crew in their homes and hotels, sponsor events in their communities and attend the events that were part of the Witt Nation tour. A big thanks to the faculty that surrendered part of their summer, spending it on the road with the crew! We would also like to thank all those that give of their time, talent and treasure to assist the university in meeting its goals of educating the next generation. Passing on the light in all of these meaningful ways is how our Wittenberg alumni base continues to amaze me. From the Witt Nation Crew, thank you!
CONNECTIONS
It was interesting, when we departed the West Coast, knowing it was the half-way point, as we had titled it 'the turn', we said goodbye to many new friends from our 14 stops, only to connect with many more along the route East. The countless hours of planning, preparation and travel to meet our goals and objectives was visibly paying off. As I took time during my travels to reflect on 'why Witt Nation," I remembered our first brainstorming session in 2007 and the ideas and laughter that came from a wonderful group of creative and talented people. We knew the goal was to engage, listen and connect with alumni in their homes and communities. The crew, now staffed with faculty, connected with over 1,000 alumni, family and friends of the university. We captured video profiles that will be used by alumni relations and recruitment efforts for years to come.
All of this is great, however, ultimately, what we gained were wonderful friends, Wittenberg friends that will last a lifetime. The outpouring of compassion, generosity and graciousness comprise the motivating factors that continue to make Witt Nation a success. We found when traveling across the country or across the street, Wittenberg alumni all carry an element of the Wittenberg light. Wittenberg alumni are passionate about their alma mater, their academic experience and their life-long friendships that were ignited at the University. I often say it is about the people, the passion and the place. Recently, I have tried to think of a better way to express the Witt Nation experience...No luck, it is the People, the Passion and the Place...making connections that enhance who we are as people and as an institution...
Thank You!
Signing off for Witt Nation 2009...keep the sun at your back...be authentic in all you do...and try, every day, to Pass It On...
~Linda
Have you ever thought about 'connections'? What are they and why are they important? You may 'connect' with an old friend, 'connect' on the phone, could be facebook, maybe e-mail, you may 'connect' anything from 'Four' to 'the dots.' So, while thinking about all of the 'connections' we were going to make as we boarded our plane to join the crew in California, it was all about 'making connections' to arrive in time to make our 'connection' with Witt Nation. Well, as luck would have it, all of the 'connections' occurred, we won't say seamlessly, and two new crew members joined the ride, Jon Duraj '09 and me. After a swearing in ceremony, we were given the official secret password, knock and handshake. We are now crew members ready to engage Wittenberg alumni.
Ralph Lauren was a no show, however, on the beautiful grounds of the Polo Club, WittFREE managed to ignite the crowd as Witt Nation 2009 kicked off the tour with a TGIF party. During set-up, with the wind whipping (only lost 1 Ez-Up), and the weather questionable, the clouds cleared and the sun came out to welcome alumni, friends, and guests as they listened to the faculty band play and the Witt Nation crew discuss their plans to cross the country. The Witt Nation van was on display, corn hole bean bags were flying, videos were recorded, and the alumni were excited to be part of the best thing since Ezra Keller galloped off on his first fundraising quest to gather periodicals for the library.
alumni around the world. We have been linked to Eurpoe through the Young Alumni Travel Program and to the service trip in Lesotho, so we have been dabbling with Witt InterNATIONal. Recently, via email we learned of a young alumnus who wanted to give to the Witt Fund (annual fund) from somewhere in Afghanistan. Of course an on-line gift was possible and the next day there it was...the gift. Since that day, the crew has corresponded with him via email. What we have encountered is 'the gift' was just the catalyst to connect us to a type of service we aren't exposed to daily on-campus. Wittenberg breeds service and giving back to the community...right now, many of our alumni are giving back to our country. Witt Nation honors all alumni engaging in service, all types, a core value of a Wittenberg education. However, today, June 14-Flag Day, we honor those that served or are serving in the military.
Here we go...LIVE. It's time to register for Witt Nation 2009 events!
One year ago we set out to create an adventure, traveling across the country, connecting with Wittenberg alumni. We called it - Witt Nation 2008. We had no idea the trip would accomplish the goals set forth in our plan; to connect with alumni in their communities and capture the true Wittenberg through alumni stories and fabulous memories. Well, the trip was so successful that we decided...let's do it again! This year we will engage with alumni, students and prospective students in our new adventure; Witt Nation 2009 - Engage.
