What Westhampton College means to me

I must admit, when I came to University of Richmond in 2009, I was a little confused about what exactly it meant to have a coordinate college system.

Growing up with brothers and close male friends, I was worried that it would limit my relationships with members of the opposite sex, and that wasn't what I wanted.

I thought, "If I wanted to go to a single-sex university, I would have chosen to go to one."

But, here I am, three years later, representing Westhampton College as your student body president. Needless to say, I did not need to fear the system.

I have formed unbelievable relationships with the women all over our campus--students, faculty and staff included--which I can only credit to my involvement in Westhampton College.

As Mierka Willis, WC '10, commented on last week's article titled "I'm not a Daisy," it was not until I joined Westhampton College Government Association (WCGA) in the fall of my first year that I truly began to understand the benefits of the system.

I have never seen a more committed group of women who enthusiastically give up a great deal of their free time at the university to better the experience of Westhampton College students.

We may send out "cute," light-hearted emails every now and then, but we also deal with the nitty-gritty details on a daily basis that make our university stand out amongst the best of the rest.

My high school friends who attend larger universities are surprised when they hear that my professors actually know my first name -- that speaks wonders about University of Richmond. Still, they are truly baffled when they hear that the deans actually know my first name - and that speaks wonders about Westhampton College and the coordinate college system.

We are one of the few schools where students have the option to form close, personal relationships with their professors and deans that can shape their collegiate experiences.

I can think of very few other universities that provide meaningful experiences like Proclamation Night and Ring Dance that celebrate the strong, independent women that make up our school.

Sure, these events are a blast, but they represent so much more than a good time. They symbolize the strong leadership, everlasting friendships and academic excellence that thrive on our campus. Throughout my time here, I have met alumni who graduated everywhere from five to 50 years ago. Without fail, they always mention how special their experiences within Westhampton College were in shaping the women they are today.

During a panel discussion for prospective students last week, a parent asked Isaiah Bailey, RC Class of '13 President, and me how much of an input students actually have about matters within the university.

Immediately, I thought of Westhampton College and the ample opportunities that it provides to enact change around the school. The alterations that have been made to Ring Dance for this incoming class, for example, epitomize both the freedom that we are given to be a source for change and the passion with which we engage issues important to our campus. As William James said, "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

So, students of Westhampton College, I urge each and every one of you, whether new to the university or entering your final year on campus, to recognize and utilize the many opportunities provided to you through our coordinate college system.

Set up a coffee date with one of the Deans, run for student government, join Women in Living and Learning -- the list goes on and on.

Hopefully, by doing so, you can find the same sense of purpose that I have found through Westhampton College, which has made my experience at University of Richmond invaluable to my transition into adulthood. our university stand out among the best of the rest.

My high school friends who attend larger universities are surprised when they hear that my professors actually know my first name -- that speaks wonders about Richmond.

Still, they are truly baffled when they hear that the deans actually know my first name -- and that speaks wonders about Westhampton College and the coordinate college system.

We are one of the few schools where students have the option to form close, personal relationships with their professors and deans that can shape their collegiate experiences.

I can think of very few other universities that provide meaningful experiences such as Proclamation Night and Ring Dance that celebrate the strong, independent women that make up our school.

Sure, these events are a blast, but they represent so much more than a good time. They symbolize the strong leadership, everlasting friendships and academic excellence that thrive on our campus.

Throughout my time here, I have met alumni who graduated anywhere from five to 50 years ago. Without fail, they always mention how special their experiences within Westhampton College had been in shaping the women they are today.

During a panel discussion for prospective students last week, a parent asked Isaiah Bailey, RC '13 President, and myself how much of an input students actually have about matters within the university.

Immediately, I thought of Westhampton College and the ample opportunities that it provides to enact change around the school. The alterations that have been made to Ring Dance for this incoming class, for example, epitomize both the freedom that we are given to be a source for change and the passion with which we engage issues important to our campus.

As William James said, "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

So, students of Westhampton College, I urge each and every one of you, whether new to the university or entering your final year on campus, to recognize and use the many opportunities provided to you through our coordinate college system.

Set up a coffee date with one of the deans, run for student government, join Women Involved in Living and Learning -- the list goes on and on.

I hope, by doing so, you can find the same sense of purpose that I have found through Westhampton College, which has made my experience at Richmond invaluable to my transition into adulthood.