It seems like just yesterday we were talking about Y2K problems, yet the freshmen who arrived on campus yesterday weren’t even born by the time Y2K fizzled out.
And it doesn’t seem that long ago since I graduated from college in 1979. It’s hard to imagine that was over 40 years ago.
But here we are, the start of another academic year, my 36th one at Villanova.
The new students began a four-day orientation program today, and this afternoon’s schedule ended with an outdoor Mass followed by a family picnic. At that point, it was time for the parents to depart.
An emotional time for sure.
But also an exciting one, especially for the students. Over the next few days, some lifelong relationships will start to be formed, and over the next four years, these students will start to have a better sense of who they are, what’s important to them, and igniting change.
I wish all of them the best and look forward to getting to know a few of them during their time at Nova.
P.S. If any of my students are reading this – don’t forget – you’ve got an assignment due next Wednesday… π
*Image from Main Line Meida News
They’re our future. Take good care of them, Jim.
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I’ll do my best…
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What is the assignment?
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work through the online exercise associated with Chapter 1, and hit the like button on all my blog posts this week π
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So, back to normal with no masks etc.?
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everyone (students, teachers, staff) has to be vaccinated, unless you got an exception. No masks are needed in class, unless you are not vaccianted. It is up to each teacher to decide if they want their students to wear a mask. I am opting for no masks at this point…
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The assignment is to each find three new followers to Borden’s Blather. I don’t know if it’s different for you, but I used to get excited before the first day of teaching to the point that I wouldn’t sleep well. Then I’d get a sore throat since my voice had been on vacation. Have a great year, professor.
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thanks, Pete.
I do get excited, and a bit nervous at the start of each semester. It also takes a few days to get my voice in back in shape.
And as to the assignment, that would be a nice way to boost my stats, even if none of them read a single post π
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When I saw the title of your post I couldnβt believe how time had flown, quarter century already! How old are the new students?
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Yes, time does fly. The first-year studentsa are typically around 18 years old. I keep getting older each year, but my students have stayed the same age for 45 years!
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36 years! You are to be applauded, Jim. That is quite a legacy. You have shaped the minds of two generations of Villanova alumni. And your enthusiasm at the task has never seemed to wane. Best of luck to your students and to you, Professor!
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thanks, Brad! It has been an enjoyable career. I think I’ve got another three to four years in me…
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this is such an exciting time of transition and new beginnings, for the students as well as the families. and you are a powerhouse, Jim! have a wonderful year –
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thanks, Beth. I am a bit jealous of my students; I hope they have the time of their lives!
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i hope so too
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π
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Ah, the beginning of a new Academic year. The butterflies, the hopes… π On the other hand, glad I;m done with it. Ha ha π
Some of my lifelong friendships were made during my Uni studies. So true.
What subject do you teach, Jim?
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yes, some of my best friends were the ones I met in college.
I teach Accounting – please don’t hold it against me π
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Not at all. You must have an organized mind to juggle all those balance sheets.
When I went to school, Accounting was not a subject. Although a much needed skill today. We had a clay tablet and stick back then π
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there have been rumors that there may not be a need for accountants in the future; glad I’m close to retirement!
and it seems like we’ve gone full cycle, and are back to using tablets… π
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15 years since I first went and I still remember the excited novelty students showed walking past with their first meal independent of parents being a McDonald’s π
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it’s those little things that collectively amount to so much…
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Such an exciting time – which I must say, Jim, that you sum up beautifully. You will be amazed to learn that I graduated even earlier than you did π
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thanks, Michael. I hope you had fond memories of your college years!
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Yes, James, I do.
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π
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I remember Y2K! Wow! Can’t believe its been so long since then!
Good Luck with the new school year! May it be much less stressful than last year for everyone! I am sure one of the bright spots of the student’s day is your class, even though its Accounting! LOL!
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it doesn’t seem possible.
and fingers crossed that we don’t face the issues we had last year…
I actually teach an Intro to Business course in the Fall. Hopefully some of the students find it interesting π
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These students can tell their grandchildren about attending college in a pandemic. With respect to the teaching profession, some of the most important lessons are learned outside the classroom, referring to the pandemic. It’s great that another school year is off and running!
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Hopefully nothing will come along in the next couple generations that will top the story of going to college during a pandemic! And I agree, academics is just one part of the college experience…
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Best wishes to you, your colleagues, and students. Your words take me back to the fall of 1974 when a skinny freshman walked on to the Montana State campus. I could never have imagined where life would take me.
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thanks, Richard!
I started my college journey a year after you, and it is amazing to look back at all the years since then…
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Really nice, Jim. Written like a great teacher would do. Villanova is such a good school. Hubby’s family is all from PA, York and West Chester. I would love to teach the children you would eventually get. That happens in my small town of Groton, MA. I can connect with teachers at Lawrence Academy and Groton School on my former students. Really nice! BTW, what do you teach?
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thanks, Jennie.It is ncie that you re able to stay up to date with your students. I am sure we have had students from your school at Nova. I teach accounting – that usually ends the conversation π
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First off, βNovaβ is cool. I love the nickname. I promise to use it in the future. Secondly, accounting doesnβt end the conversation here at all. π
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I also like our slogan: “Ignite change, Go Nova.” And happy to hear that the mention of accounting didn’t send you running in the opposite direction π
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Haha!! No, I didnβt run away. π Yes, I like your slogan.
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π
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