Honors Day
Student Perspective

Norma J. Reynolds '07
May 4, 2007

Again, I would like to welcome all distinguished guests, donors, faculty, students and friends of the college. It is a pleasure to be with you this afternoon, and an honor to be able to say "thank you" on behalf of the college. As President Anderson said, I am from the most wonderful city in the states, Omaha, Nebraska. Hopefully many of you know it is not just rolling hills and cornfields, but that there is actually civilization. For example, I came from a very competitive high school, in academics, music, sports, theater, and more. After being competitive inside and out of the classroom, it became evident my junior year that the race was not over. College was the next phase ahead. Many of my peers were applying to top-name schools. I was stressed about the competition, if I had what it took to get in, and where. I was not sure where I wanted to go, though. I wanted to be away from home, but only a car drive away. I wanted to attend a school with a good reputation. Because I had many interests, I wanted to attend an institution that would allow me the freedom to pursue many different avenues. This played a heavy influence on the types of schools I was interested in.

A handful of students that graduated from my high school attended St. Olaf, two of whom were in the St. Olaf choir at that time. One of their families invited me to attend the homecoming concert in 2002, my junior year. I was completely awestruck with the music, the scenery, the academic rigor and the sense of community.

My parents and I looked further into St. Olaf and how my education here would prepare me for the future. After weighing all the options, St. Olaf seemed like the perfect fit. Only five hours away from home, I could sing, study Spanish, run track, and be involved in other extra-curricular activities, focus on my faith, and stay on track to go to law school. And that is exactly what happened. I sang in Manitou Singers my first year. I ended up being a Spanish and Political Science double major, studied in Mexico this January and plan to travel abroad again after I graduate. I ran on the varsity track and field team, and won many races my first year and part of my sophomore year. And I joined many student organizations. I joined Student Support Services as a first year student. This organization provided much needed support all four years of college as my mother and I continue to deal with the physical and financial effects of a car accident my sophomore year in high school. I was chosen to be one of the Class of 2007 Representatives for the Board of Regents Student Committee my sophomore year, and I participated on the committee for two years. I helped plan the first Ole Spring Relief my junior year, where about 200 Oles went down to the Gulf Coast to give a helping hand. I've been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes since sophomore year. And I will later explain how I stayed on track for law school.

While that is just a snippet of some of the great things I have been a part of at St. Olaf, in the beginning I was not sure if my dream to come here would be a reality. The quality education and experience I could receive from St. Olaf would come with a price, reasonable considering the benefits I could gain, yet more expensive than my family could afford.

I certainly have my share of loans, but the Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Hoeft Scholarship truly made a difference. For me and many other students, it is the free gift of scholarship that can make educational dreams a reality. Had it not been for my scholarship, I doubt I could have come to St. Olaf. Because of this assistance, I was able to attend one of the most treasured institutions in the country.

Although I came to St. Olaf with great expectations, I received blessings beyond anything I hoped or asked for initially. The most treasured of these benefits presented itself my first year and has continued to positively affect my life since – my faith.

Although I've grown up in church, with many relatives in the ministry, it wasn't until I got to St. Olaf that I developed strong friendships with people in my age group, that were also focused on their faith. I met other students, right in the beginning, that showed me what it meant to develop intimate, encouraging, love-filled relationships with others. I have seen in my own life, and the lives of my friends, how much more joy and fulfillment we have as we press on in our faith. We have become more kind, loving, patient, strong, wise and humble.

My spirituality has helped me to develop a better sense of self, and higher self-esteem. It has helped me to realize that we are all unique and special in our own way. Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of academic and social competition, we compare ourselves to others and think that being like them will bring us more success. I have learned that the more I become the person God has made me to be, I am happier, have better ideas, school work comes easier, and I receive better grades.

My time here at St. Olaf has also enhanced my academic performance. Although I am still very shy, I entered extremely timid in the classroom setting. I always prayed the professor would not call on me, even if I had something valid to contribute. Through the encouragement of my many great professors, I began to speak up more, and even risked giving my own opinions. A change from high school was to understand that professors did not simply want us to repeat the text, but tell them what we really thought about it. While that was a challenging transition, it has allowed me not only to learn facts, but to truly receive an education.

I have also developed my skills as a student outside of the classroom. I had to learn to be a critical reader and not simply look for all the "right" answers. My professors pushed me to question everything I read, rather than take it at face value. I learned that sometimes the assigned readings would not be enough and I would have to go above and beyond what was required.

While learning how to be a different type of student in the college atmosphere, I had to learn how to manage my time accordingly. With no parents there to help foster a schedule, I quickly had to discern how, when and where to complete different tasks and still have enough time for sleep. Well, the sleeping did not go so well, first semester – okay, well, my first two years! By junior year however, I had finally learned how to juggle extracurricular activities, academics and my personal life.

My experience at St. Olaf has also been helpful in my inter-personal relationships. Although I have grown up in many diverse settings, I never had to face touchy and controversial issues head on. For example, I never discussed issues that affect the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, nor abortion or religious differences at length before. My interactions in and out of the classroom helped me to respond to difficult issues from many perspectives. I am now able to have challenging conversations, with those that hold completely different views, and still have a positive experience. I have encountered different types of diversity than I had at home, particularly with religious and cultural differences. I am grateful I had the opportunity to become friends with people that could teach me about their experience in life and new things about the world.

So how will St. Olaf help me in the future? In terms of immediate benefits, my academic experience here will help me in the rigorous, intense, competitive environment I will come across at the University of Nebraska College of Law this fall. I am confident that I have the skills to be successful because of the foundation I have received here.

One experience showed me how well St. Olaf has prepared me for law school during the pre-law institute I participated in the summer before my senior year. Out of three classes, I took two law school exams and wrote one legal memo. I ended up receiving all As and even tied for the highest mark in one of my classes. Not only did the University of Nebraska end up accepting me in to the class of 2010, but as President Anderson said, they offered me a full scholarship to attend.

One thing that was very helpful during the pre-law institute and at St. Olaf has been learning how to have balance in my life. Because of the foundation I received here, I am confident that I will be able to not only have a balanced life in law school, but to get out with a little bit of sanity.

Also, St. Olaf has helped to consider the importance of being an ethical person. Whether it is the honor code or simply how we treat each other, ethics is important here. Ethics is also important in the legal world. I hope to be the type of lawyer that people not only respect, but one that is ethical behind closed doors.

I hope to represent St. Olaf College well in Nebraska and beyond. The spiritual, personal, academic blessings I have received here have truly made me a better person. Thanks to you, and others like you, that give to the college, I have been able to have the time of my life. Even though I still have three weeks left on the hill, I am not ready to leave this place or all the people that have been such a blessing to me. This place does something to people that truly touches us at our inner core. Now, you have passed on the torch to me and all the other graduating seniors. After we get out into the real world, get jobs and live our adult lives, it will be our turn to give unto others as you have given to us. Although they are simple words, again, let me say, "Thank you."