Faculty/Staff Relationships

Hi Friends,

Sorry it's been awhile since my last post - it has been crazy around here! Fun has been the name of the game, though. Last week me and one of my best friends worked a lot on a special presentation we were set to do on Friday night. You see, this weekend was the LDP retreat. LDP stands for Leadership Development Program and is a program designed for the leaders on campus to grow closer together and work on their leadership skills. Groups such as the Resident Advisors and Hall Directors, MCB, Student Senate, and the leaders of several other campus organizations are in LDP and it's always a lot of fun to get together. Ths winter retreat has always been my favorite LDP event and during the winter retreat are things called "showcases" where people just put together random stories, dances, songs, etc. to perform for their fellow LDPers. LeeAnne and I have gotten really close to our assistant dean of students, Mark, and put together a dance for him. We made shirts with his face on them, made posters, and choreographed an entire dance as a funny "tribute" to him. We had such a good time preparing for it and he and everyone else seemed to love it at the retreat. He has encouraged us so much to grow in our time here at Bluffton and it was great to do something for him, even if it was a little silly.

Then, on Sunday I went with some friends to have lunch and play "Rock Band" with our director of residence life. We had a great time chatting with her and playing video games in her basement! It was my first time playing this game and it was a blast - I didn't really ever expect, though, to play it with her!

These two events of this past weekend remind me of how unique Bluffton is. The relationships that students are able to have with their faculty and staff members are amazing. I get to have lunch or dinner at my professors or faculty member's house, I have played video games, done dances and hung out with faculty/staff members, have their cell phone numbers for if I ever have a problem, etc. I just love that community that is fostered here at Bluffton and am so grateful for all of the relationships I have built here.

Here's to good relationships with the faculty/staff,

Mary

pic: me and mark, the guy we did the dance for!