Monthly Archives: January 2015

Yesterday was one of what I would consider to be a typical, not-so-typical day. What? Let me clarify.

In the morning, I set aside some extra time to stop by the Conferences and Events office to fill out some paperwork. This paperwork was some of the most exciting paperwork I’ve ever had to spend time on – my fiancée and I have the privilege of renting our equipment from C&E for the big day!

Following this, I attended a colorful variety of classes – Comparative Religions, Intermediate Composition, and Intermediate Commercial Photography. As was to be expected, all three were vastly different from one another in material and subject matter – however, the professors of all three shared the same beautiful passion for teaching as an instrument of God’s hand, and for the betterment of our characters as young adults.

When afternoon rolled around, my roommate and I made our way up to the Recreation Center – the stunning, two-story beauty that highlights our campus. The Rec Center offers a range of activities for those interested – you’ll find everything from a professional rock climbing wall to basketball courts to a soccer field… on the roof.

And to conclude my busy, busy day, I enjoyed a hearty meal at CBU’s new dining addition – El Monte Mexican Grill.

I thought nothing of the busyness this day brought me. It was a very typical day for a student at CBU.

But you know, a day like this would be considered “typical” nowhere else that I can think of. No, this day was awesome. Not-so-typical, if you ask me. We are so fortunate to be here!

I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, and friends, I’ll say it again.

My academic journey at CBU has been a highlight of my time here.

I sat in class today, realizing just how alive and at home I felt in the midst of a fascinating lecture and discussion. I was reminded of how much my classes have enabled me to grow intellectually, and how much that will continue to influence me for years to come.

This university, while multifaceted and lovely for a number of reasons, is prioritized highly as a reputable academic institution which espouses scholarship in a variety of fields. If a person comes here ready to grow in the area of academics, I can guarantee that they will be continuously excited by what they are learning.

I have always been a reader and a seeker of knowledge on just about any given subject (except calculus – I flee from calculus). Naturally, I looked forward to the time in my life where my main job was to attend college and learn as much as I could. When I first came to CBU, I have to admit that I was astonished not only by the approachability of the professors, but also by their sheer brilliance in their respective fields.

The professors here are truly masters of their craft. Each has made highly respectable achievements in his or her field, and maintains a passion for carrying on this knowledge. I have not met a professor in my four years here who was not only in love with their work, but also with using that passion to advance the Kingdom.

CBU values exploration of truth and knowledge. In my time here, I have seen how my Christian worldview aligns with my intellectual passions and allows me to appreciate both faith and knowledge more highly. It is for this reason that I am particularly thankful for the fact that I will soon earn a degree from this university at this time in my life.

And we are back! Spring semester is here at CBU after a well-needed break.

There are often conflicting feelings that occur when students think about returning. We are excited about seeing our favorite friends and professors however, some may feel upset because it is time to get back into busy schedules or find out that some of their friends will not be returning this semester. As for myself all of these feelings are applicable. Regardless, I have to remember that whatever I am feeling or whatever does happen that it is for the best.

Personally, I am excited to start a new semester. This semester I decided to make my schedule as similar to last semester as possible. I figured since I had already created a steady schedule that meets my needs, it would be much easier for me to transition into this semester. The only difference between this semester and the previous one was that I start earlier and have one less class during the week, which allows me more time to do what I must and more time for sleep when needed.

During the break, I realized how close I had grown to my friends at CBU. When I returned to campus, I was overjoyed to reunite with all my friends and my house mates. It makes a difference when you go from seeing these people day after day to not seeing them at all for a month. I can tell from experience that it is not easy to be away from my friends here. I missed them so much! I am glad that I am back to start a new semester and make more memories.

Here’s to another great semester and a new start.

I moved back onto CBU campus last Friday morning after having just flown in from Peru the night before. Naturally, I felt exhausted from a day of travel, but excited to start a new semester of engineering and Resident Advisor duties. This semester should play out much better than the last one, as well, for a few reasons.

The first is that my engineering classes will be fewer and more project oriented. For too long I have been cramming equations and analyzing diagrams without much opportunity to put that information to use. With Engineering Design and Documentation, all juniors in the engineering department will be designing and constructing separate projects based on their majors and professor’s decision. I don’t know what mine will be, but I’m sure I will find it much more enticing than solving the unilateral z-transform of a discrete time signals. Another hands-on class will be Microcontroller System Design, which involves less theory and more configuring of small digital and analog chips. After only the first day of class, I can tell that I will enjoy programming PSoC and Arduino microcontrollers.

The RA job will be a more relaxing experience as well. With a semester of experience under my belt, I no longer feel like the new guy figuring out how to plan events or handle situations. I have new residents, too, which means new and interesting people to meet. I am also a part of the Woo Week committee for Residence Life which will be our major spring event for the semester. Already I am psyched from all of the crazy ideas being thrown around by the group. No spring semester would be complete, though, without Intramural Soccer, and as a Global Village RA, I am sure I will have residents ready to play the sport I love.

It’s only day one of the semester, but I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

Aaand we’re back!

Friends, I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas break that was filled with love, relaxation and a healthy amount of productivity. I can honestly say that my break was filled to the brim with the former two items, but slightly lacking in the third due to the release of every season of “Friends” on Netflix. Thus, I’m now completely rested up and eager to dive back into reality at the university that holds my heart.

As I went through my four-year long journey at CBU, I realized that at the start of every semester I am consistently reminded of why I chose to come here in the first place. Each fresh start brims with the giddy anticipation of all that will happen over the next 15 weeks. We are reunited with our friends and feel that unmistakably comforting sensation that we are at our home away from home. There is something about the communal atmosphere that can’t be ignored.

When I first toured CBU, I have to admit that I did not think that I would come here. Today, as I dive into what will be my very last first day of school, I am so thankful that I ended up exactly where I am. There is no doubt in my mind that being a student at CBU has set my life on a trajectory that I am thrilled with. At this university, I have met some of the most influential people in my life, and I grew more than I could have conceived. I discovered new academic passions due to the attention of caring professors and a variety of fields to choose from. I have had opportunities to refine my central beliefs and see exactly how my faith converges with all my passion, knowledge and experience. I owe so much of who I am to my time at CBU, and as I sentimentally begin the last semester of my senior year, I am so excited to finish what I began and see what will come next. I’m convinced, as ever, that life is a fantastic adventure.

See you next week.

Do you remember being in high school, and how the thrill of beginning your senior year was almost too much to stand? But then somehow, about three months in, your veins began to crawl with that nasty, ruthless disease … senioritis.

In high school, you have some liberty to choose an elective or two each year, but beyond that your routine is basically set in stone. History of some kind, English of a sort, science in some manner; and, if you were one of the unfortunate, yet another math. Senioritis was a direct result of too much sameness, and everyone felt its drag.

What I love about the beginning of each CBU semester is that there is absolutely no sameness to be had. Every first week of school hands you that beautiful, terrifying thrill of all things new. For example, this semester I have an exciting blend of film, world religions and design awaiting me – in stark contrast to last semester’s toss of sociology, physics and typography.

This will be my first semester ever taking as few as 15 units, which is considered a normal, sane person’s load – but I figure wedding planning will add an additional three units worth of my time! I’m excited to have the opportunity to learn and grow yet again as a student this semester, soaking up the blessing of living the college life.

Saddle up, Lancers – around the track we go again!