Dear Class
of 2016:
Well, this
is it! You’re finishing your sophomore
year at Trinity, and my wife and I are moving!
I regret that I won’t be able to complete a four-year tenure with you,
but as often happens in life our plans have dramatically changed despite our
best intentions.
When you
first arrived at school, I shared some guidelines from my own experience that I
thought might be helpful to you in charting a path through Trinity and
beyond. Following is a brief synopsis of
my advice to you:
- Have fun…life is short! Be sure to elevate the value of people.
- Find meaning…be adventurous with your time. Live with integrity and a sense of
purpose, and never forget you were created for a reason.
- Be understanding…take time to listen to differing
opinions. Practice tolerance,
respect and moderation, but never surrender your own core values.
- Serve selflessly!
Create a positive caring legacy.
There are enough selfish and self-centered people…don’t be one of
them.
I hope you
will permit me to add a final point prior to my departure. My hope is that you will:
- Be charitable!
Search for opportunities to be radically philanthropic. We live in a world of great need. Become part of the solution by giving sacrificially of your time and your
money. Don’t be a cheapskate! There are creative ways to make a
contribution to great causes even when resources are scarce. Give personally to issues that you are
passionate about and I guarantee that at the end of your days, you and
those you love will believe your life was well lived.
That about
captures my advice to you! It was an
absolute pleasure to serve as your Alumni Sponsor, and I wish you nothing but
success in the coming years. I will
always remember your class fondly, and thoroughly enjoyed working with Dennis
Ahlburg, David Tuttle, Kimberlyn Montford, Wanda Olson, Andrew Hoing and others
in providing support to you.
May God
bless each one of you in your life journey!
Jim
Boelens
Alumni Sponsor
Alumni Sponsor
