Space age lawn care

The travel season is coming to a close. After this final week in St. Louis, there will be minimal fairs and high school visits until the spring. That means that I will hopefully be seeing you on campus!

For those of you I saw at the NACAC fair at SLU, it was great talking to you! I really appreciated the readiness you all came with and how you had specific questions ready to ask. For those of you just starting to hit the college fair circuit, it really helps (both you and me!) to have a few focused questions ready, whether they are about the schools programs, location, size, graduation rates or whatever else you would like to know. It not only helps you get the right information, but allows you to think about what's important to you in your college selection. Also, I am able to direct more appropriate information your way! I really enjoyed the help that Tony ('92) gave from the alumni perspective. As part of my job, I get so caught up on the details, facts and figures, but he emphasized an important part of the college search to many of the students and their families -- in similar words, Tony described that you are going to receive a piece of paper from any school signifying completion of your studies. What's important is how you were able to grow as an individual during those years earning the degree. I agree with his thought that if you have not changed from year 1 to graduation, the school has not done their job. I saw tremendous growth in myself in my four years at Valpo, and that is why I gladly do what I do today. OK, I will now step down from the soapbox and move on...


Today was a great day. My first high school I visited today was Lutheran South, the best high school in St. Louis. Maybe I am a little biased because I went there, but that new football field does look awesome! It is great to see that there are still some great students there as well as some of my favorite teachers! I had another great visit today at Webster Groves, too!

Tonight I will be at Meramec CC for the fair held by some of the great schools down south. Has anyone ever noticed how Meramec is not quite said like it is spelled? I love the english language. What is your favorite word that does not sound at all like it is spelled? I am a fan of math, so the word eight works for me. Isn't english the only language that there are spelling bees? If you know of any other languages with which spelling bees are held, let me know because I would really like to know.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting Westminster, Chaminade, and Marquette as well as the SIU-E college fair. Then Wednesday I am in Belleville for Belleville East, West, and Althof. I will conclude the day with Metro East and then the Granite City college fair. Thursday, Champaign here I come. The high schools will be Centennial, Central, University Lab, and Urbana HS. Woohoo!

Make sure those applications are getting in by November 1st, and something to think about...

If they grow a lawn on the moon, would they be growing grass or astroturf?

Until then,

Ryan

It really is good guys, and gals!

Like I said, I am new to this blogging thing. The expected regularity of it will be a challenge if I plan on pleasing my large base of readers.

I do not know how I was able to be out of the office for six straight weeks last year. Two weeks alone in St. Louis has left me with much to catch up on, but I had some great visits. All schools I visited were well worth it, but Lutheran North took the cake with 19 students stopping be to hear about Valpo! It was great to be back out there, but I really look forward to a little homecoming at Lutheran South when I visit on October 20th!

I would have to say, though, that my conversation at MICDS had to be the most diverse in topics during my St. Louis tour. Things started off well with some serious talk about our International Economics and Cultural Affairs degree and other related issues, but soon was diverted to a variety of other topics including food (which for all intensive purposes is a serious matter when it comes to the college search). I can't quite recall what else went on, but I do appreciate you keeping us on task, P!

Next up on the admission rounds brings me not too far from campus...I will be at the Portage High School College Night tommorrow evening from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Hopefully I will see any of you in the area there!

I leave you with this thought...If a turtle loses it's shell, is it homeless or naked...

Ryan

Check, Check 1, Check. Is this thing on? There we go.

Thus begins another exciting school year and the beginning of my blogging life. Today, Dan, Seth and I made a trip around the Valpo area to visit a few high schools and met some great students at Chesterton and Boone Grove. And now that I have this up and running, look out St. Louis, you are next! That is all for now, until...

The same blog time, the same blog place...