Looking Forward. And West
In August of 1987, my mom dropped a high school buddy and me off at Rider Hall at the University of Northern Iowa. We piled out of a Chevy station wagon that looked a lot like this beauty.
That August day was the start of something remarkable. The lessons I learned as a student-athlete shaped me in ways that continue today, sometimes without me realizing it. Those intense five years, however, were only the beginning, Now, almost thirty years later, I'm transitioning to the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I have the tremendous honor of serving as the new department chair. The excitement of the transition has me reflecting on so many things.
The lump I've had in my throat as I choked my way though multiple farewells this spring reappeared tonight, as I wrote notes to colleagues with whom I've been so deeply honored to serve.
Rather than focusing on the change as a physical separation and an ending, I frame it differently; not as goodbye, but as a thank you for the countless gifts I've received and a way to share what I've learned. Instead of goodbyes, I'm seeking to share lessons from incredible people and allow them to pollinate in a new place. I hope that honors their source.
My coaches taught me perspective and optimism. And about what winning and losing really look like. I got the chance to pay a bit of that back two years ago when Coach Jake asked me to talk with his team about the Panther Family. I told them I wasn't one of the best to have played here and maybe wasn't even the best to have worn my number. But there's no one more proud to have been a Panther.
My colleagues and mentors taught me about schools, the world, and myself. They shared immense creativity, brilliant insight, and deep passion. They taught me how to write and introduced me to vision, compassion and grace. They encouraged my righteous indignation. They revealed the gift of mindfulness. They taught me how to build, how to fail, and how to try again. They consistently saw more in me than I saw in myself. They helped me to laugh, allowed me to cry, and reminded me to celebrate.
My students never failed to inspire. They've humbled me with skill that far eclipses my own. They allowed me into their heads, their lives, and in some cases, their hearts, as I tried to do for them what so many others have done for me. I hope I have come close.
The reflection process has brought me full-circle, nearly thirty years after my initial arrival in the Caprice. In the end, the gifts have been so caringly given and the lessons so expertly taught, that there is really only one way to honor them and the place of their birth. And that is to look forward, in this case, west. With deep gratitude and genuine enthusiasm for what's next.
That August day was the start of something remarkable. The lessons I learned as a student-athlete shaped me in ways that continue today, sometimes without me realizing it. Those intense five years, however, were only the beginning, Now, almost thirty years later, I'm transitioning to the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I have the tremendous honor of serving as the new department chair. The excitement of the transition has me reflecting on so many things.
The lump I've had in my throat as I choked my way though multiple farewells this spring reappeared tonight, as I wrote notes to colleagues with whom I've been so deeply honored to serve.
Rather than focusing on the change as a physical separation and an ending, I frame it differently; not as goodbye, but as a thank you for the countless gifts I've received and a way to share what I've learned. Instead of goodbyes, I'm seeking to share lessons from incredible people and allow them to pollinate in a new place. I hope that honors their source.
My coaches taught me perspective and optimism. And about what winning and losing really look like. I got the chance to pay a bit of that back two years ago when Coach Jake asked me to talk with his team about the Panther Family. I told them I wasn't one of the best to have played here and maybe wasn't even the best to have worn my number. But there's no one more proud to have been a Panther.
My colleagues and mentors taught me about schools, the world, and myself. They shared immense creativity, brilliant insight, and deep passion. They taught me how to write and introduced me to vision, compassion and grace. They encouraged my righteous indignation. They revealed the gift of mindfulness. They taught me how to build, how to fail, and how to try again. They consistently saw more in me than I saw in myself. They helped me to laugh, allowed me to cry, and reminded me to celebrate.
My students never failed to inspire. They've humbled me with skill that far eclipses my own. They allowed me into their heads, their lives, and in some cases, their hearts, as I tried to do for them what so many others have done for me. I hope I have come close.
The reflection process has brought me full-circle, nearly thirty years after my initial arrival in the Caprice. In the end, the gifts have been so caringly given and the lessons so expertly taught, that there is really only one way to honor them and the place of their birth. And that is to look forward, in this case, west. With deep gratitude and genuine enthusiasm for what's next.
More than any academic or educational contribution, your largeness of intellect, spirit, integrity and compassion will be deeply missed. As Beyonce said, you are Irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your new venture, Nick. You have made a dramatic difference in many people's lives and you will continue to spread your insight and wisdom in Nebraska.
ReplyDeleteDear Friend although you will be as far as Cedar Falls in Nebraska to me, I would miss you and your family.
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