NEWS
14 Obiter Dicta
Retrospective
Start-up
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Trial, Journal Symposiums, the Wendy Babcock
Drag Show, Dean’s Formal—will be the ones remembered forever. The Class of 2015 has spent hours
and days and weeks together at events and social
gatherings, at bars and banquet halls, in ice storms
and blizzards, laughing, learning, and lunging for
greatness.
If you were to have asked me back then what my
primary psychological and emotional state would be
so close to convocation, I doubt I would have mentioned satisfaction. I may have predicted exhaustion
(true), exhilaration (true enough), or nostalgia (so
true). Yet here we are, and satisfaction is undoubtedly the best description for it.
Satisfaction, like the feeling at the end of a hearty
meal, where you’ve struck the right balance in the
amount you’ve consumed and are content to lounge
in an easy chair for the evening. Satisfaction, like
the feeling at the end of a long book, when you’ve
been brought to understand your mother or brother
or wife by gazing temporarily through the eyes of
another. Satisfaction, like the end of a great film,
when you’ve been nudged to appreciate the beauty
and wonder and terror in the world in a more comprehensive way.
We’ve struggled, and we’ve survived. We’ve conquered our fears. We’ve become more disciplined.
We’ve met strangers and transformed chance
encounters into lasting relationships. We’ve honed
our analytical skills and attention to detail. We’ve
learned the value of receiving a good summary at
the last minute, and ho r