TWO AND a half weeks ago, I, like most University students, returned to Charlottesville after enjoying a month of winter rest and relaxation. Wanting nothing more than a hot shower and a little sleep after traveling from Atlanta the night before, I opened the door to my room only to find myself the victim of perhaps the finest prank in the esteemed history of the Lawn. Fifteen or so respected members of the University community had gained entry into my room, removed literally every piece of furniture contained thereinand covered my floor, mantle, shelves and window sill -- every available surface in the room -- with a total of 6,000 paper cups filled with colored water. I would soon learn that the prank involved buying every available Dixie Cup in Charlottesville, paying over $70 in expenses and meticulous work that took some of the most talented people I know over six hours to complete. Amazing.
What happened after the prank, however, remains as remarkable to me as the prank itself. Nearly a dozen of my unsolicited friends and neighbors (perhaps out of guilt) came over to help me begin the slow process of cleaning up the cups and moving my furniture back into my room at nine a.m. on the last day of winter break. They came disheveled, sleep-deprived, hungry and cranky (maybe because they had missed the moment that I had opened the door). Regardless, they came to help me do something I couldn't do on my own when they didn't have to.
I am no advocate of Lawn room pranks, nor would I have chosen to be the unwitting victim of such a prank, but in a weird way, the experience reminded me of how much I owe to the people -- and there are many -- who have made my time at the University memorable and worthwhile.
At The Cavalier Daily, I was privileged enough to work with people like Nick Chapin, Anthony Dick, Justin Bernick, Chris Wilson, Greg Scanlon, Bowman Dickson, Josh Goodman, Christina Stavridis, Nikki Thompson, Mike Slaven and the 116th Managing Board, all of whom made my experience at the Cav Daily a good one. Thanks to Matt Hale and Ben Knezic for many Cavalier Daily-related life lessons. I am forever indebted to the Theta Pledge Class, the guys of 619 Cabell Ave., Hunter Sinclair, Robert Gurnee, Morgan Crawford and the Monday Night Football guys for dealing with me during my tenure at The Cavalier Daily.
There are few words to describe how the wisdom and help of Lenard Berlanstein, John Stagg, Bill Wilson, M. Kelley Shepherd, Jr., Peter and Addy, Norm Estep, all thosecorporate lawyer types, the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church and my family, particularly my mother Sharon and cousin Joe, have benefited me as a student and person. They have helped me along more than they may realize.
Thanks also to all the people who have made my time as a student away from Charlottesville spectacular: the Buckhead guys, the entire Blunden family and the Stones.
My final semesters at the University would not be nearly as enjoyable or memorable without Bachelor's Row, Steve Hiltner or Matt Deasey always making me "stronger," despite their clown-liness, Tom Holman being a "chill RA," or Pat, Wayne, and Mr. S. being such great neighbors. Not to mention my arch-nemesis, who never misses a chance to put me in my place but somehow manages to be "always a good time."
Darius Nabors, along with being a poor squash and tennis player, has been one of the most smelly, weird, uncouth, disheveled, inexplicable, inefficient, slow, hyperactive, peculiar, at times embarrassing, messy, loyal, selfless and best friends I have ever had (stop yelling "Leroy Jenkins" at me through my mail slot), and Ross Baird, who has been my best friend since seventh grade, has done some OK things at the University and has been a pretty good guy (Sorry about the radiator. Live and learn).
I have made some profoundly regrettable choices during my three-and-a-half years at the University, such as refusing to take Salsa lessons the spring of my second year. One choice I have never regretted has been my membership in the Virginia Beta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Big. These guys have been nothing short of my family at the University. The Old Navy -- A. W. Simmons, John S. Moran, M. Kelley Shepherd Jr., E. Ross Baird, and, yes, even you, Connor "I need you guys to tell me what's good for me" Sullivan -- has been the source of more fun than I could have imagined and more support than I knew. Thanks for letting me in on what is undoubtedly "the greatest thing in the world."
Read More
WILLIAMS: Donald Trump will be a threat to student loan forgiveness
By Ryan Williams | 5 hours agoTo be sure, this is not a problem of the University’s making. Nevertheless, understanding the uncertainty of financial accessibility in education, the University must step up to the plate.
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 5 days agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | 6 days agoAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
