As a Seton Hill University Student Ambassador (SHUSA) I have a wonderful opportunity called Phonathon. It is a great honor to know that I am among a few students that get to talk to alumni about their memories of Seton Hill University (SHU), discuss the changes going on now, and to ultimatelyask them to donate to SHU’s annual fund. But it’s so much more than asking them for money.
By: Chelsea Oliver
Senior Staff Writer
As a Seton Hill University Student Ambassador (SHUSA) I have a wonderful opportunity called Phonathon. It is a great honor to know that I am among a few students that get to talk to alumni about their memories of Seton Hill University (SHU), discuss the changes going on now, and to ultimatelyask them to donate to SHU’s annual fund. But it’s so much more than asking them for money.
Although not all SHUSA members agree with me, I think Phonathon is the greatest opportunity we have as student ambassadors. We have the privilege of talking to alum about the things they loved while they were on the Hill and compare those memories to the ones we’re making on our own.
On Monday, Nov. 8, I was assigned the graduating classes of 1947, 1948 and 1949. These are some of our eldest alum, but each one of them that I was able to talk to had crystal clear, fond memories of SHU (then Seton Hill College) and the lifelong friendships they made here. These memories are actually very much like the ones I have created here over the last four years. It was such an honor to hear from these remarkable women and listen to them marvel at how beautiful the campus is and how nice everyone was while they were here.
I hope you all are making those fond memories as well. I hope that you realize that the friends you are making now will be lifelong friends. Even though when the class of 1947 graduated, they did not imagine that there would be as many buildings on campus as we have now, they had the same primary value I think we have to this day: community. SHU is a community, a family. We all know that everyone knows everyone and that’s a great thing to have during these four years.
One of the women I talked to, right after I introduced myself said, “I hope you adore Seton Hill, just like we did.” It is such a great realization to see that we walk on sacred ground. That many years before us, students were making the same memories we’re making now, in the same hallways, in the same dorms, the same dining hall, the same classrooms and all of the lawns and spaces in between. The memories that we’re making here are what makes SHU so beloved.
So keep making those memories. Keep building those lifelong friendships; keep loving SHU. Learn to accept its flaws, but realize that anywhere you go will not be “perfect” and let yourself love this Hill. I know I will, but I hope all of you will as well. Pick up the phone in 60 plus years and tell that student caller your memories. I bet he or she will smile and reflect on the memories that they have made on the Hill as well and realize that their past years as a student have been nothing but beautiful.