The Circle is Round

Let's not alert the press; everyone knows that. But not everybody is aware (yet) how strong the circle of the Emerson Community is.

After three years of my volunteer involvement at Emerson College, right from my daughter's freshman year through the end of her junior year, I have experienced firsthand what it means to be an Emersonian.

While Nicolette '10 has been finishing her last projects this year, I have returned to Boston for the second time this spring. The President Society's Reception and the Parents Leadership Council informal meeting were the main reasons for me to reconnect. Not only with Nicolette, but also with many friends I made during brainstorming sessions between parents and the College administrators.

And while I walked along Boylston Street this week, I was touched to see so many (potential) new students and their families. Rushing from one venue to the other, grabbing their programs and notes, wearing their Emerson name tags -- they were all so animated! For many, it was the final visit cementing their commitment to our school. For others, it was a chance to make the last piece of the Emerson puzzle fit.

Hours later, following these street encounters, I talked with "veteran" PLC (Parents Leadership Council) members about how far we came as a group in the recent years, and about what we aspire to achieve in the future.

We, as parents, have been there for each other. Reaching out, welcoming new members of the Emerson family, launching the PLC Scholars Program to support students in need; we have raised over $340,000, but above all we were never shy to "push" our ideas on to Emerson officials and share our experience with other families.

For those of you reading, and anxiously wondering how your children will do at Emerson, and how you can handle the conflicting emotions of pride and letting go (not to mention the upcoming move-in logistics), let me assure you, we are here for you. And by "we", I mean other parents from the Emerson circle.

Together with hundreds before me, I did get a taste of the energetic and embracing culture here. And so will you - that's a promise! You will be informed, supported, encouraged to speak out and, most importantly, you will be listened to.

You might think that the Emerson journey ends with graduation. Many times before, and again last weekend, I met Emerson alumni and the school's friends still enthusiastic about Emerson, donating money, time and their expertise to our students.

You know, while sharing a glass of wine with an Emerson alum of '68 (who established a very generous scholarship) I could not help but to smile sensing in him the same energy and spark that I see in my daughter when she talks about Emerson. At that moment, I felt it again...

We are a community! United not only by a common experience, legacy, and sentimental memories, we simply care for each other. Experienced parents care for the new coming families; older students support the freshmen, alumni mentor our students and open doors for them.

Whether you begin your Emerson journey now, or formally completed it decades ago, we are all within one circle of support.

It keeps on flowing like perpetual motion. There is a formal beginning, but there seems to be no end. Our bond is strong and genuine, so you will not experience it alone.