From the director's chair (July 2013)

The Excitement of Education

Mitchell SpringerThis is the time of year when potential students and their families visit campus. It is amazingly exciting. Every day, I bump into those wandering around looking for their specific academic advising office, the registrar’s office, the recreation facility and even the football stadium or basketball arena. The parents who are themselves alumni are pointing out places and things, sometimes with both hands at the same time. The potential new students seem excited and yet somewhat reserved, perhaps feeling surreal over what is about to happen. In everyone’s voice and eyes, however, you can sense the excitement.

I tremendously enjoy stopping the families to ask what their son or daughter is planning to study, and to determine whether their parent or parents had previously studied here. Everyone gets pumped up as we talk about Purdue world rankings, great accomplishments, lecture halls and how the campus has changed. It is not uncommon to talk for 15 or more minutes, as though the families have found a long lost family member and want to get reacquainted.

I realize it is summer and most would rather think about cooking out, playing at the pool or lake or even the much needed and deserved summer vacation. For me, however, I love fall and everything it brings. I love football, tailgating, hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cool evenings and the smell of burning leaves. Perhaps embarrassingly, I admit that my favorite shows are still the Charlie Brown series from my childhood; “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. So, in the end, while summer is important for many reasons, to me, it’s something I tolerate to get to my favorite time of the year; fall and the beginning of classes

If you or a family member are thinking about continuing your educational pursuits please give us a call; that’s what we are here for.

From me and our entire ProSTAR team, we wish you and your family a very safe and restful few summer months; keeping in mind the greatness of the spirit of fall and your opportunity for personal and professional gain from educational attainment is just a couple of short months away.

Mitchell L. Springer, Ed.D., PMP, SPHR

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