A Letter from the Fellow

Dear Rotunda Scholars Class of 2027,

I hope this little note finds you in good health and high spirits! Or, at least, as high of spirits as you can be with finals just around the corner. (It won’t be so bad, I promise!) For this issue of the Scholar Schoop, I thought I’d write a sort of open letter to express my deepest gratitude for our program and awe-inspired pride in the incredible work that each of you has been doing. Maybe I’ll even drop some life advice or an embarrassing story, too, who knows?

For now, how about a trip down memory lane. Lifetimes seem to have passed in the last four years of my life, between entering uni and persevering through the pandemic. Perplexingly, I simultaneously feel as though I’ve snapped my fingers and suddenly I’m applying for graduate school. This is a pretty common phenomenon among us ancient juniors and seniors, and there doesn’t really seem to be a way to prepare for it. And while it’s difficult to adjust to change (understatement of our lives, am I right?), Rotunda has taught me so many lessons about growing and adapting to the unknowns, which is what I’m most thankful for in our program during my final year.

I know I am very privileged to have this awesome, very formal sounding title but I’ll admit that I wasn’t ready for all of the changes that occurred over the last few years, especially during the past semester. I began as a scholar like each of you, but completely cut off from my cohort because of the pandemic. Believe it or not, Gian and I didn’t even know each other until we joined staff in our second year! I did, however, have the most phenomenal Peer Counselor who not only kept me tethered to our program but also guided me through the rest of my collegiate career as a mentor and friend. Her name is Patty, and she happened to be our last Fellow. Patty was everything you could ever ask for in a PC or a friend – compassionate, hilarious, clever, and down-to-earth – and she was the reason I decided to stay at SMU during a rather tumultuous freshman year and later join staff as a PC. The most important things she taught me were to strive for success despite failure (which is completely normal and survivable regardless of what it feels like in the moment!) and never listen to K-Pop while studying because there is a 100% chance you’ll dance and not focus. Important stuff, I know. 😊

After a trial-and-error year as a freshman, I joined Rotunda’s staff as a PC. I can’t believe how ridiculously long ago it seems now, but I was PCing when your favorite veteran staff members – Emma, Mimi, Tulsi, Gracie, Jacob, Kennedy, and Dylan – were first-years. My sophomore year as a PC holds my favorite Rotunda memories to date because there really isn’t anything like connecting with scholars one-on-one. I hope that each of you has gotten to experience even the beginning of what that bond feels like because I guarantee that the advice your PCs are giving you is something you’ll treasure throughout the rest of your uni days. PCing is equally as rewarding as it is draining, guiding as it is learning, and there are lessons I absorbed from just a couple of twenty-minute chats with scholars much more resilient and smarter than I could ever be. In particular, I think PCing imbued in me a sense that people are NEVER exactly who or what you think they are and that observing is infinitely more informative than talking (but if you’ve been around me for five minutes, you know I do a LOT of the latter). On the subject, I highly recommend applying for PC to any one of you who is even vaguely interested (watch out for applications in March!).  

Continuing down the yellow-brick road, my junior year in Rotunda was spent coordinating. Gracie and Jacob flatter me these days by referring to me as “the inaugural coordinator” or something really cool like that, and while I was coordinating, I didn’t have nearly the thoroughness or vision that our coordinators do this year. Last year was turbulent for me, epitomized by several concurrent academic obstacles and illnesses. In the fall, I got so sick that I was bedridden every three to four weeks and I missed over an entire month of the semester. My GPA dropped lower than I’ll ever admit out loud and I had to drop three classes. It was a true test of whether I had a hold on my perfectionist tendencies and how perseverant I could be in the face of constant, epic failure. The lesson that year was that I so do not need to be the main character because surmounting that arc was treacherous! Suffice to say I’m glad that year is over.

Now in my fourth year, I have the honor of serving as your Fellow. Though the year isn’t over, this has been the most exciting and different year yet. The expansion of the Rotunda Scholars Program into a four-year initiative is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our student and professional staff to empowering and uplifting the next generation of leaders. Something many of you might not know is that Rotunda was a four-year program way back in the day (even before Maria and me!), so the iteration of our program that you each get to experience is a dream in the making. It's heartening to witness the positive impact that the program has had on the lives of scholars and I’m really excited to keep our legacy going. Being Fellow also has its downsides, as I often long for my former days as a PC when feeling detached from your cohort. Nevertheless, I’ve seen in the past few months that the best part of Rotunda is its capacity to allow scholars to grow.  

Rotunda not only provides educational opportunities but also fosters a sense of community, resilience, and determination among scholars – what we would consider a mindset that revolves around exploring, empowering, and evolving! This holistic approach goes beyond conventional education, shaping well-rounded individuals equipped to overcome challenges and thrive. On paper that looks really professional and even a bit presumptive I’d say, but genuinely what I hope for each and every one of you is that you can come to embrace this mindset. Cohorts of scholars before you shifted and molded and eventually, I dream that you also have the opportunity to grow out of our program and into yourselves as the best and most authentic versions of you possible.

As Fellow, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some of the success stories that have emerged from our program. I’m confident that each of you will further enhance Rotunda’s impact, and I want you to know that even if I don’t get to see you on the day-to-day, I am truly inspired by the work and strides you’ve already taken in your collegiate careers. I also recognize your unique potential, dedication, and eagerness to learn and grow. As you continue to navigate through college, I encourage you to maintain the same enthusiasm and curiosity that I got to witness during RISE and remember that challenges are lessons and opportunities in disguise. I have no doubt that each of you has the potential to achieve AMAZING things, and I look forward to cheering you on from the sidelines. If you ever need anything – a buddy to chat, recommendations on professors, help in a class, a tasty restaurant for dinner, a hilarious dad joke, someone to come to bat for you, a karaoke partner, or even just a smile – please know that this program has your back and I am always here, just a call or a text away. 🧡 

Sending you all my very best vibes and mojo,

Rachel

(Your Biggest Fan and Rotunda Fellow)