Collegiate Connection: 2020: Success Redefined By Grace Sullivan

hile 2020 has been many things, predictable is certainly not one of them, and I’ve been tempted at times to believe it would be a year without success. So many of my milestones have been cancelled or postponed, including my senior recital, graduation ceremony, and graduate school. How could I be successful if I couldn’t keep working towards perfection? But 2020 continues to surprise me, including the day when I opened my inbox to read “Congratulations on winning the Sterling Award.”

Winning the Sterling Award is a great honor and achievement, and I am grateful to Mu Phi Epsilon for the incredible opportunities, including the value of the lessons I’ve learned over the last two years. I’ve come to realize two things: My definition of success needed serious revision, and this different version of success involves some serious long-term investment.

A career and education in music are often highly competitive and perfectionistic, and I frequently become entangled in comparison and all that I am not. Too often, I’ve been scared to try something new or take a risk. What if I’m a failure, i.e., not the best? What if taking a chance lowers my perfection-driven GPA? Being the president of Ripon College’s new chapter these last two years has been difficult! However, continuing to make choices to serve others and do my absolute best, even when the fruit of my work wasn’t evident right away, has led to a different kind of success — success that goes beyond chapter size, meetings, or fundraising. Eta Delta chapter is filled with students I am proud to know, who have grown as leaders, musicians, and people. For me, leading others by serving them — not comparing myself or our chapter to others — is what has made the last two years a success.

Growing ourselves as people often does not lead to recognition or another achievement for our résumés. Our purpose and abilities as a musician, student, or individual cannot be measured on a scale from 1 to 10, so what does being the best even mean? I simply don’t think it’s one size fits all.

There is room for many excellent musicians in the world, all of whom have different strengths. When we lift others up — that makes change. Doing our best at what is in our own hands brings real, lasting results.

Grace Sullivan, 2020 Mu Phi Epsilon Sterling Award winner, is featured on the cover. To read more about Grace and her accomplishments, turn to page 13.