A commencement

It was only a few weeks ago when Williams honored the class of 2009 and celebrated its 220th commencement.  It’s always striking to me when the start of something (summer, in this case) is more often associated with endings than with beginnings.  In school, I think that’s generally the case: the beginning of summer brings to a close a spring semester and another year of college; to the delight of some, surely, but – and especially at Williams – the dismay of others.  Some will have taken their last class; others played their last game as a member of a team. We reckon the close of an era and the relationships & friendships ending, or at least going on hiatus.  But, as someone (Morty?) notes at commencement every year, this is an even more important beginning as well.  There is, after all, a reason for the name of the ceremony.


I’ve been thinking a lot about beginnings and endings recently as I finish up my term as intern here in the Alumni Office and my fifth year here in Williamstown.  (I used to tell undegrads who looked at me quizically with that, “didn’t you graduate?” stare when they saw me on campus that I had failed the swim test, and thus had to be around for another year.  I’m not sure anyone believed me, which is probably a good thing)  Last year, I wasn’t prepared to confront those endings concomitant with graduation, and, perhaps more importantly, to commence something new.  By far the most important thing I’ve learned in my year of working here, however, is that your relationship with Williams doesn’t end with graduation.  Things change, certainly, but that change can be growth, and the deepening of an already strong relationship.  For me, this has manifested itself this year in all the frienships I’ve begun with Williams people outside of the 7 different classes with whom I attended school.  Commencement is an end and a beginning, but it’s also a continuity, and is one notable part of many in a connection to Williams place and people that can last a lifetime.

I know it sounds like I’m touting the company line here, (and I am) but I really believe it to be true, and I hope it’s something my ’09 friends begin to learn (if they haven’t already) while out on the Expedition, meeting the wider community of Williams alumni.  The Expedition, for me, is wrapped up in all sorts of beginnings and endings, both high-fallutin’ and mundane; another kind of commencement.  The beginning of The Expedition marks the end of my five years spent in Williamstown and the start of whatever is next for me.  (not sure what that is yet; but I’m excited.  It could be anything)  It will forge the start of what I’m sure will be numerous friendships with those of you who we meet out on the road.  It’s the end of a huge amount of work and the beginning of even more in the form of future iterations and associated projects.  Also, and most importantly, The Expedition will serve as the beginning of refreshed relationships with Williams for both individuals and communities far outside the Purple Valley; another locus on that lifelong continuum of connection.  And so, the end of this blog post starts what will be more than a month of regular updates from me and my companions in the van.

We’ll post a few more times in the next two weeks before lift-off with thoughts and practical info, then once we’re on the road we’ll be posting daily. Check back for info on our progress and experiences out on the road.

See you out there!

~Jason