It is the beginning of the school year, and we are already starting to feel overwhelmed. From classes to meetings, to seeing friends that we haven't seen all summer, our schedules are jam-packed with things to do.
You are probably expecting me to tell you to stop, take a deep breath and just relax. Well, I won't.
We're passionate, energized and sometimes overly committed. And that is what connects us to students of the past.
It is unbelievable to think about how many great alumni our University has produced who were once in the same situation as we are in now.
The next time you pick up the Wall Street Journal, remember that Peter Quick, the president of the American Stock Exchange, was once pulling an all-nighter in Clemons.
When you are going to see a movie in Cinematheque, remember that Samuel J. Goldwyn, Jr., the former president of MGM studios, was once eating on the Corner.
As you cheer for the Cavs in the new John Paul Jones Arena, remember that Valerie Ackerman, the founder of the Women's National Basketball Association, was once working up a sweat in Mem Gym.
When you sit down to write your first 2,000-word essay of the semester, remember that Edgar Allan Poe was once debating with the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society.
While you are begrudgingly walking to Student Health to check out that nasty rash, remember Walter Reed, who discovered the vaccine for yellow fever, was once participating in a cold study for some extra cash.
When you are out celebrating the national victory of the Mock Trial team, remember that Jeannie Hong, the first Korean-American judge, was once rocking out at a concert at Starr Hill.
As you look upon the different markings of the Secret Societies around Grounds, remember that Robert Hutchings, the chairman of the National Intelligence Council, was once on a midnight steam-tunneling trip.
When you are sitting in on a Student Council Meeting, remember that Thurgood Marshall, Jr., a Cabinet secretary in the Clinton administration, once met his friends in Newcomb.
As you are applying for an internship for next summer, remember that Rebecca Rimmel, the president of Pew Charitable Trusts, was once dancing the night away at a University ball.
While you are hanging out with your Politics Honors friends, remember that Robert F. Kennedy, the former U.S. attorney general, was once watching the sun rise over Observatory Hill.
The next time you run into a Guide taking a huge group through McCormick Dorms' Quad, remember that Katie Couric, the host of CBS Nightly News, was once partying hard on Rugby Road.
While you are watching Professor Bloomfield conduct one of his famous physics demonstrations, remember that Patrick G. Forrester, a NASA astronaut, was once looking up at the river of stars from the steps of the Rotunda.
The next time you take a bite out of a sugary crueller, remember that Daryl Brewster, the president and CEO of Krispy Kreme, was once buying an Archer with his suite.
As you turn in your application to start a new CIO, remember that Woodrow Wilson, the founder of the League of the Nations, was once campaigning for his cause at Madison Hall.
And, when you start to get frustrated that you'll never live up to the legacy that all these great alumni have left, think of all the recent U.Va. graduates that have already made an impact.
Some of us sat in a class in Cabell Hall with Ryan Zimmerman, a 2005 College graduate, who now is the third baseman for the Washington Nationals.
Others of us remember Deidre Downs, an AXO who graduated in 2002, who won the title of Miss America in 2005.
And all of us can think of countless other recent graduates who have started blazing a new and exciting path.
So keep up the good work, guys. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.
Maryann's column runs bi-weekly on Tuesdays. She can be reached at maryann@cavalierdaily.com.
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