Changing of the Guard

The WPI campus has been buzzing these last few days. Students moving out for the summer, graduation preparations underway, and of course students dropping off their enrollment forms to become part of the Class of 2013.

Graduation is coming up this Saturday the 16th of May and WPI's Class of 2009 will cross the stage to receive their diplomas. In early June the incoming students will begin arriving on campus to take part in our academic advising days. This is always a strange time of year, a real changing of the guard.

It's been 17 years since I graduated, (hard to believe) but it really does seem like yesterday. Over the weekend we had a first birthday party for my son and I was pleased that a couple of my closest friends were able to join us. One of my WPI classmates was here and it is hard to believe its been that long. We fell back into that familiar rhythm just like we would during an intramural soccer game or over a pizza at Tech Pizza....or one of our spring break road trips to Florida. He hasn't really changed, have I? I suppose, but people always say make the most out of your college experience, it will be the fastest four years of your life; true but I'd say the last seventeen have gone a lot faster then the first seventeen did:)

Advice? Sure.... For the graduating seniors: treasure the memories, take advantage of all the opportunities WPI has prepared you for, and value the friendships you've made...they really can last a lifetime. For the entering students: my advice is the same...you'll just need to wait four years to really appreciate it, but you've made a wonderful choice in WPI and we'll see you all soon:)

Ed