If you were to look up the word "community" in a dictionary, the most accurate definition you could find would read: "a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." I can tell you from personal experience, if you find the community that best fits you, it is so much more than that.

I have been a member of many communities: soccer teams, cheerleading teams, several high schools, girl scout troops, honors societies, volunteer groups, the towns/states I've lived in, and while some provided a feeling of fellowship--they were nothing in comparison to the group I feel a part of a whole in now. But, I am getting a little ahead of myself. Let me explain this to you by walking you through a day in my community.

Each morning, I am greeted by friendly neighbors as soon as I walk out my door. Even though they are in their own groggy, morning haze, it never fails to set the tone for the day. The weather is usually pretty great (except for when its extremely cold, as it can be in northern Vermont in the winter) so I am usually too excited for the day. Getting my morning cup of coffee is a new adventure every day because I get to catch up with whoever is around. My favorite social norm in my community is the door holding. Regardless of how far away you are, if someone sees that you are headed to the door they are about to walk through, they will hold it for you and wait until you get there. It may not seem like a grand gesture, and sometimes it can be a little awkward as someone hurriedly walks to you from a slightly far distance. But on the same hand, that small, kind gesture gives a very live sense of caring, even if you aren't particularly familiar or close to the person you interact with. Luckily, my community is relatively small--approximately 2200 in total--but it feels as though I know nearly every face, and have communicated with almost everyone at some point. It goes without saying that small acts of kindness, friendliness, and selflessness fuel the community climate. Each day is another opportunity to feel at home regardless of my physical location.

If you couldn't tell from this description, I was depicting my college campus. I am a proud, lucky, and spirited member of the Saint Michael's College community. I have never felt more welcomed in a place and I am reluctant to feel this way day in and day out. I am sure most students can sympathize in some way when I say, my high school experience was not the best, and I was flat out nervous to go to college with the fear I wouldn't know anyone. While our campus has around 2,000 students, staff, and faculty at anytime I feel as though I know and converse with most of them. If I don't, no one has an issue with me striking up a conversation.

Another amazing aspect of my community is the relationship between students, faculty and staff. Never have I met a more engaged, intelligent, and caring group of people that genuinely want to see you succeed. I mean the professors would quite literally do anything to make sure their students feel comfortable in class and have all the tools they need to perform their best, even if that means creating nine versions of an exam to best suit students with learning differences.

I am so grateful for the atmosphere this institution creates, I take the extra step to preserve it. Two years in a row I was one of the lucky 72 students that had the honor of welcoming the new class, and helping them to assimilate with our quirky social norms of our unique community. We pride ourselves on always being a person to rely on in a difficult situation, even if the person you are assisting is a complete stranger. And with all of this in mind I would like to thank such an amazing group of people for creating a group dynamic that gets a little better each year.

To my peers, professors, staff, and mentors:

Thank you for all the Alliot cup drops, and never failing to clap when a plate is dropped. Thank you for the miscellaneous "happy birthday" melodies heard across campus to acknowledge and embarrass a friend. Thank you for celebrating all the wonderful faculty, staff, and Sodexo employees that work so hard for us (especially Rosemary). Thank you for holding the door even when I feel as though I am half a mile away. Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to approach me and ask a question about anything. Thank you for molding my mind through the many racial, religious, and experiential perspectives brought to this campus. Thank you for informing me about topics I was ignorant or blind to, so I can be an effective mode of change. Thank you for the hugs and compliments spread throughout the 3s on the weekends, or even on weekdays. Thank you for the shared regrets of a previous night as we all congregate in Alliot on weekend mornings for the overly greasy brunch. Thank you for the willingness and ability to support a student, friend, or classmate in need--even at the most ungodly of hours. Thank you to the random acts of kindness that make our campus a little more home like. Thank you for the prominent accessibility to a wide variety of caffeinated options (Dunkin--you will always have a special place in my heart). Thank you for allowing me to be an active, engaged, and goal oriented student in a place where I truly feel welcome.

I agree this article is a little braggy, and probably sounds like an advertisement to come to Saint Mike's. While it is a little--this amazing group of people, from all walks of life should be given a huge round of applause for all the progressive steps forward they take day in and day out. We want to make positive change in the world, and I am fortunate enough to be in a place where I feel like I have the power to do so. GO PURPLE KNIGHTS!