Dublin Core
Title
Story by an Alum
Description
I attended a watch party at the University of Michigan with some friends from dental school. At the time, I was in the final few weeks of my program.
In 2014, I graduated from Loyola University Chicago and started dental school at the University of Michigan within weeks. Throughout my time at UM, I found myself reminiscing about my Loyola days. I missed my friends, my independence, the joy, the campus, the lake. I idealized my time there, almost not letting myself feel my current situation.
The LUC vs. UM game seemed comically ironic - for years, these two eras of my life fought in my mind. Me vs. the person I used to be. But I failed to see that it wasn't about me at all. It was about those dedicated men & their love for basketball, for each other, and for their mentors. It was about Sr. Jean and her invaluable ministry.
How fitting that this game occurred on Holy Saturday. We waited. I thought of all the people watching at that very moment, whether in person or on television. I thought of the teams. Whether Wolverine or Rambler, we all waited. And we waited together.
At the watch party, my maroon and gold stood alone in a room of maize and blue. It was beautiful... I realized that being a Wolverine didn't make me any less a Rambler. Similarly, learning to love the part of me that was becoming a dentist didn't mean I was abandoning my time at Loyola. Maybe I was being called to reconcile my past with my present.
I am always proud to be a Rambler. I am so proud of the Loyola team and admire them so much. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
In 2014, I graduated from Loyola University Chicago and started dental school at the University of Michigan within weeks. Throughout my time at UM, I found myself reminiscing about my Loyola days. I missed my friends, my independence, the joy, the campus, the lake. I idealized my time there, almost not letting myself feel my current situation.
The LUC vs. UM game seemed comically ironic - for years, these two eras of my life fought in my mind. Me vs. the person I used to be. But I failed to see that it wasn't about me at all. It was about those dedicated men & their love for basketball, for each other, and for their mentors. It was about Sr. Jean and her invaluable ministry.
How fitting that this game occurred on Holy Saturday. We waited. I thought of all the people watching at that very moment, whether in person or on television. I thought of the teams. Whether Wolverine or Rambler, we all waited. And we waited together.
At the watch party, my maroon and gold stood alone in a room of maize and blue. It was beautiful... I realized that being a Wolverine didn't make me any less a Rambler. Similarly, learning to love the part of me that was becoming a dentist didn't mean I was abandoning my time at Loyola. Maybe I was being called to reconcile my past with my present.
I am always proud to be a Rambler. I am so proud of the Loyola team and admire them so much. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.