Doing my part for Vassar
I never visited Vassar before applying. Initially, I was attracted by the cosmetic factors. College rankings, a gorgeous campus, large first-year dorms—you name it.
When I finally visited campus, I noticed something different. The people I met were passionate about what they were doing. Vassar promised a college experience with purpose.
Four years later, I can say that Vassar fulfilled that promise. It also taught me an important lesson: purpose is contagious and cyclical.
My first semester at Vassar, I joined the college Democrats. Anywhere else, it may have been an unremarkable experience. But at Vassar, it introduced me to dozens of students with plans and aspirations that would inspire my own in turn.
One student in the Democrats, Meghan, had grown up in Poughkeepsie and participated in its local politics. We didn’t know each other well, but when she heard I was looking for an internship, she got me a job on Dutchess County’s biggest campaign that year. I asked her why she’d do that for a mere acquaintance.
“I’m just doing my part for Vassar.”
From there—long story short—I was running for office in Poughkeepsie two years later.
As I reconnect with old friends before graduation, I realize that my experience wasn’t entirely unique. It was part of a Vassar experience.
My first-year roommate just wrote and produced his own show—he’ll be on Broadway soon. A classmate on our hall got her Psychology research published in a professional journal. My best friend got addicted to stand-up comedy, and is heading to Chicago to start his career. Our student fellow (the equivalent of an RA), who graduated last year, won the Fulbright and is teaching in Taiwan.
For all of us, the Vassar experience meant learning to live with purpose.
I didn’t win my run for office, but I did get people involved. In fact, I recently had dinner with my campaign friend Conor, a first-year, and asked if he’d like to join the Poughkeepsie Democratic committee. He agreed, and went to his first meeting last week.
Who knows where it will lead him? But hopefully, I’m doing my part for Vassar too.
