by Joe Long, Director of Alumni Relations
I met a pair of graduating seniors today. They came to ask “What can we do to stay involved with Plymouth after we leave.” They told me about the feeling they had when they walked onto campus for the first time, the people who have entered their lives and how much they have grown, how scary and exciting it is to think about leaving Plymouth. We talked about keeping in touch. I told them that they can stay as involved as they want to be. It’s all up to them.
You chose Plymouth for a reason. Do you remember why? Was it because we had the program you wanted? Because you could afford to come here? Did your parents say, “We went to Plymouth and you will too!”? Did a coach recruit you? Did you want to be close to the mountains so you could ski all winter long? Some of your reasons may have been better than others, but you all had your reasons.
Plymouth is about relationships. What was yours? Was Plymouth “the place” or was it simply “a place”? Was it a challenge or a breeze? Did it become your home away from home? Or was your time here a “business transaction” where you paid tuition and Plymouth gave you a degree? We all have different relationships with Plymouth—all valid.
When you arrived, did you think that you would be here for four years (maybe five or six in some cases) and then be done? Or that you would stay in Plymouth forever? Was this a pit stop in your trip called life? Did you even think about it?
The stories about Plymouth are varied and deep—filled with passion, suspense, intrigue and fulfillment. These memories pass though the alumni office every day. Some tell us that without Plymouth, they would not be the people they are today. Some tell us how Plymouth gave them their start. We hear about some guy from New Hampshire who met some girl from the Bronx, and how Plymouth gave them the common ground to build a lifetime of experiences.
You spent some of the most formative years of your life here, and today Plymouth students are doing the same thing. They are much like you were. They all come here for their own reasons. Each one is creating relationships that will last a lifetime. Eventually, they will leave and others will take their place. Let’s welcome them into the extended family known as Plymouth alumni!
