The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Page: 2 of 6
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Septenrfcerl^ 2009
Opinion
The Rambler I www.rambier.org
SGA president delivers powerful message to all
Heath Scott
hascott-sw4ftxwM.edu
SGA President Heath Scott
presented the follwoing speech
to facutly, students and staff at
Academic Convocation
Sept. 1.
On this day, prescribed
by custom and enriched by
tradition, we celebrate the
beginning of a new year.
Providence has seen it fitting
to allow our distinguished
and noble University to open
its doors once more. I am
humbled by the honor of this
ceremony, and mindful of the
position I hold amongst my
fellow students; a position
that I have been blessed to
be entrusted with. It is only
once, every year, that the
President, acting on behalf of
the Student Government and
representing the entire stu-
dent body, has the privilege
to address both the faculty
and the administration of this
University.
I have spent untold hours
contemplating the words to
offer here today. Thankfully
though, the more I thought,
the clearer the answer be-
came. So I ask, for these next
few minutes, allow to me
speak from the heart...
This university means a
great deal to me, and I would
venture to say, everyone else
gathered here today. Being
elected president of the Stu-
dent Government was one of
the proudest moments of my
life. I have been placed in a
position to positively impact
the university I so dearly love,
and impact it I will...
Having been involved in
politics for a few years, I have
seen many begin full of ideas
and noble intentions, only to
end disgraced or forgotten.
Neither is an acceptable fate.
There is a distinct difference
between words and action. I
understand this, so hear me
now, and hear me clearly:
This year will be built on the
tested formula of hard work,
determination and persever-
ance.
Hopefully summer gave
us a chance to renew our
determination, reignite our
passion, and consolidate our
strength, for we will need
each of these for the tasks at
hand. I ask you not to begin
just another school year, but
to begin a new narrative; a
narrative unlike any other in
our proud history. This year
can be the single most impor-
tant year this university ever
has, but it will require sacri-
fice. The end of long hours
and sleepless nights may not
yet be on the horizon for the
price of success is high, but
we must be willing to pay that
price. Our university is only
bound by the limitations we
place upon it.
There are those here today
who might ask, "What can
really be accomplished in one
year?" I stand here to offer
you this answer: If you think
small, you will stay small, but
if you stop to dream, if even
for a second, you can achieve
miracles. We are too great
to limit ourselves to small
dreams.
Still, another might ask,
"Are we ready to do what
must be done to ensure
success and prosperity for
ourselves and those who will
follow?" I believe strongly
the "answer to this question
is an emphatic yes. We will
share in the rewards gained
by this New Year, but we will
also share in its labor. There
is something for each of us to
do. There is a part for each of
us to play. Together we will
and numerous other areas
will be tackled head on by the
Student Government. Ulti-
mately though, some of these
things will require your help
and your support.
We all share a stake in the
future and promise of Texas
Wesleyan. We should strive
SGA President Heath Scott and University President Hal Jeffcoat
march hand in hand on a
path to make history.
Today, I can happily report
that the Student Govern-
ment is now ready to accept
its role in this narrative. The
SGA works hour by hour and
day by day to advance the
mission of this University. All
facets of student life will be
engaged. Campus beautifica-
tion, security, school spirit
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The Rambler
Founded in 1917 as The Handout
Publisher Harold G. Jeffcoat
Jonathan Resendez, news editor
Laurence Sheehan, opinion editor
Conner Howell, college life editor
Joakim Soderbaum, sports editor
Chuck Fain, entertainment editor
Laura Rosser, photo editor
Rachel Horton, multimedia editor
LaShawnda Mayhom, social media director
Daniel Bravo, advertising manager
Kelli Lamers, faculty adviser
Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison
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Press Law Center, College Media Advisers and
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Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of
the individual authors only and do not neces-
sarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan
community as a whole.
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daily to bring the highest
standards to it. In order to do
so though, we must come to-
gether. The Student Govern-
ment cannot do it alone. The
faculty cannot do it alone,
and members of the admin-
istration cannot do it alone.
A new year brings a new
opportunity to initiate strong
and healthy dialogue between
these three bodies; a dialogue
that is sorely needed. Far too
often I feel we are all guilty of
just watching out for our im-
mediate self-interest. We lose
sight of the bigger picture.-
We forget that we are in this
together.
So as I look around, I see
not students, nor faculty, nor
members of an administra-
tion, but a family; a family
bound together by our love
for this university. Your hopes
and desires are my hopes and
desires. I promise you. This
is why I choose the words
"we" and "our" because I'm
addressing you - fellow
members of this Wesleyan
family, and our family is both
diverse and strong. From
the professor who comes in
early and leaves late. To the
single mother struggling to
get by, but yet finds time to
make her classes. Or even the
freshman straight out of high
school looking for their place
in this world. People from
all walks of life call Texas
Wesleyan home. Understand
though, that our diversity in
backgrounds, experiences
and opinions not only paral-
lels that of our community,
but of this great nation.
Indeed, Texas Wesleyan en-
courages individual thought
and promotes individual
excellence while cherishing
unity of spirit. These values
will serve to strengthen our
resolve as we begin working
to enrich the university expe-
rience. I believe the fruits of
our labor will be self evident
even within the first year.
Moreover, I FIRMLY believe
the difference we make will
last a generation.
Soon this ceremony will
end and we will no doubt
move on with our lives. This
day will be but a distant
memory. Weeks will pass,
then months, then years.
2009-2010 will eventually be
judged by those who come
after; a verdict of history
brought by people we may
never meet. What will they
say about this year and the
people present today? It is
my hope they say just one
thing.. .That on this day,
and at this hour, something
profound happened. Texas
Wesleyan came together and
changed a university, a city
and, God willing, coundess
lives.
As I close, I want to leave
a few words with you. Words
to a song that I learned just a
couple of years ago, but only
now have I come to respect
and cherish them. I ask that
you listen to these words and
decide what they mean to
you:
Hail to thee, dear
Texas Wesleyan
From the heart I give
my praise.
In the paths of high
endeavor,
Fame and fortune
crown your days.
Streaming forth a line
of splendor,
Stalwart sons and
daughters fair,
Living testimony
render
To the worthy name
you bear.
Thank you and may God
continue to bless Texas Wes-
leyan.
Get out and live it up
Jonathon Resendez
jlresendez@mail. txwes.edu
People read about it ev-
erywhere, all the time: Be
healthy so you can live
longer.
It's a lesson that everyone
continually tries to shove
down the throat of one of the
top 10 fattest nations in the
world. In June, The Economist
said, "People almost every-
where could extend their life
spans further just by doing a
few sensible things, such as
not smoking, drinking only
in moderation, eating lots of
fruit and vegetables and tak-
ing regular exercise."
I think amidst all the health
hullaballoo, people forget
something - some people
live their entire life with no
regard for their health and
are seemingly immortal.
More importantly, these
people spend more time
actually living life how they
want instead of trying to take
perfect care of themselves
and live forever. I think living
better should include more
than a strict physical health
regiment.
Rolling Stone recently ran
an article on Ginger Baker,
the ex-drummer for the rock
group Cream. Like most cli-
che rock star bios, the article
told of Baker s drug-addled
past and three-packs-a-day
present. It brought to mind
the stories of Mick Jagger and
Keith Richards, people who
spent their whole lives almost
killing themselves to live
large and somehow made it.
It got me thinking. If the
youth of today are taught that
sex, drugs and rock-n-roll
are detrimental to our health,
why are these dinosaurs still
around?
I am not endorsing pun-
ishing ones own body
with unhealthy habits with
expectations of living longer;
rather, I'm endorsing not
punishing one's own body
with excessive healthiness
and strict rules that cut back
on happiness.
I say skip the gym every
once in a while and put in a
little more family and friend
time. Seek a more exciting
life instead of a better picture
to put up on your MySpace.
The memories will last a lot
longer than your six-pack
Don't get me wrong, health
is important. Some students
should seek out a little more
physical activity just like
some students should seek
less Internet time. A little bit
more social networking, a
little less social networking
site.
As cheesy as it may be,
Benjamin Franklin hit the
nail on the head: "Wish not
so much to live long, as live
well."
So relax and live a little.
What would you change about the
univeristy?
Kristen Potter
senior management
"Parking and better
advising."
Julia Anderson
freshman vocal music
"There are too many steep
hills."
Cecilaia Hill
junior history
"Parking. I always have
trouble parking."
Dwight Williams
freshman education
"Change the mascot to
the Packers."
Conor Mullarlcey
senior business
"Any problem I've had
I've been able to fix. Even
transfering was easy"
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The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 16, 2009, newspaper, September 16, 2009; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth253444/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Wesleyan University.