Northridge Scholars Reception
I had the great honor of being invited to the house of CSUN President, Dr. Dianne Harrison. Every year, Dr. Harrison hosts the University and Presidential Scholars for a reception celebrating the scholars and their accomplishments. The University and Presidential Scholarship are both part of the Northridge Scholars program with the University Scholarship being the 2nd highest scholarship next to the Presidential Scholarship. On Friday October 20th, I parked my car in the parking structure and boarded a shuttle for the University House. I sat down with a fellow Mike Curb College student and we started to chat. He told me about his studies in film and exchanged words about our mutual love of music. Even though I just met this student, I immediately felt a likeness in personalities. I would soon meet countless other students that exhibited this quality. As I entered the house, I was greeted by President Harrison. It was a little bizarre to meet the President of a school I have attended for the last 3-something years of my life. I had seen her in pictures and videos and at my sister’s graduation but here she was in person. It was an interesting experience. After shaking the President’s hand, I found myself eating hors d’oeuvres and chatting with students. What a group of students. I am still amazed by the quality and quantity of work that this group of students was and is accomplishing. It was such a pleasure to converse and share stories of our passions and interests and our academic and career paths. I felt at home with this group of ambitious, driven students. These were the colleagues I had never met. The connection was immediate. I am honored to be counted among this group of CSUN students. I remember one of the University Scholars said to me, “Don’t the Presidential Scholars get into any grad school they want?” I replied, “I sure hope.” But joking aside, I truly felt like I met the academic community I had been waiting for. This event was also a great way to meet and talk with important people from the university. I conversed with the VP for Advancement. We chatted about the Valley Performing Arts Center, now called the Soraya. Although intimidating at first, I appreciated how genuine and interested he was in me, even if just for the brief conversation. I also met the Dean of Mike Curb College of Arts and Communication, the college that my major resides in. He immediately spotted me and congratulated me on representing the Mike Curb College as a Presidential Scholar. I joked with him about having to read his textbook he wrote on Music Technology for a class. In jest, he threatened to quiz me. I’m glad he didn’t. Dean Hosken was so kind and I’m thankful to meet him. Later in the event, the Presidential Scholars were introduced to each other and explaining our projects. The five of us (the other five Presidential Scholars were not able to attend) conversed easily about our projects. As the conversation went on, we remarked that we should meet up and talk more. As we thought about our workload, we all agreed on the soonest time available…Winter Break.
CSUN Arts Council
On Monday morning October 23rd, I spoke for the CSUN Arts Council. This is group of people devoted to supporting the arts and the CSUN music, theatre, film, and art students. Abbey Laurel, the coordinator for the guest speaker spots, contacted Dr. Sannerud, the head of the vocal department, and he recommended me for the speaking opportunity. Of course, I said yes (Even if I did have to leave Geology lab early…bummer). I prepared two of my Handel pieces to sing for the group, along with a 45 minute talk. I had never talked about myself to a group for that long. Although a bit intimidating, I soon discovered how rewarding it was to share my past year and the success of winning the Presidential Scholarship. The group was so warm and inviting. They were eager to hear about my academic career at CSUN. I spoke about my beginnings in the arts, my transition to CSUN, my three internships, and my Presidential Scholarship.
GE Honors Scholarship Presentation
On Wednesday, October 25th, I got the chance to speak for the GE Honors Scholarship Presentation. After a brief introduction to the Northridge Scholars Program, the speaker introduced the University Scholars and myself as a Presidential Scholar. I had a chance to give them my advice on applying to scholarships. My biggest advice to them was: APPLY. You will never win any scholarship you don’t enter. I shared with them about my insecurities to apply for the Presidential Scholarship and advised them to be bold in their application. On a random note (yet similar), on my birthday, Paul Smith, my choir director, called me up and instructed to me to stand in the middle of the room. I was confused to say the least. He then asked, “Because you are a year older and wiser, what is the piece of advice you would give this group?” I said, “Take the opportunities.” My life and academic career, and success in scholarships has all been because I simply put in an application. I would not be where I am in my senior year without all the opportunities I took. OK sidebar over. In the scholarship presentation, I just wanted to encourage these students to not let fear hold them back from an application process. I also advised them about letters of recommendation. It’s a tough process and I advised them to be proactive and make as easy as possible to the writers of the letters. Having amazing letters of recommendation is a crucial part of a scholarship process. I have had amazing people advocating on my behalf. Dr. Murray, Dr. Anthony Cantrell, Ingrid Boydston, Dr. Audrey Thacker, Lisa Siebaldi, and Robert Tubbs have all written me letters of recommendation this past year. They have been the best advocates an undergraduate could ask for. There have been many letters and kind words said about me. I am so humbled to know and work with so many amazing people. I am glad they believe in my goals and passions as much as I do. This is what I wanted these GE Honors students to know. It is so important to have this small army of people fighting for you. I hope that I left the students with a bit of knowledge that will help them conquer all the applications in their future!So that was my week. In the midst of the flurry of school, I appreciate having the time to reflect on my semester. I am too often so focused on my schoolwork that I lack the time or energy to accurately reflect on my semester. When I am writing this blog, I am always so humbled by all the opportunities I have been given. I feel responsible to uphold my part as a Presidential Scholar. I am determined to represent myself well. As my time at CSUN comes to an end, I am definitely becoming sentimental and realizing that this is the last times I will have at this school. I am thankful for the Presidential Scholarship to cap off my experiences at this school. Please keep in contact with me! I would love to know your thoughts on my project or anything else! Leave a comment or shoot me an email!
WELL, well, well.. What a lovely letter. We really enjoyed all of your adventure. Will, you are such a sincerely humble person and you work hard. You will reflect on this special time at CSUN and all the wonderful people you have met. We are so happy for you.
Love,
Grandma & Grandpa Shaw