Warren Ashby Residential College

Closing Remarks at the WARC Renaming Ceremony
by Em McKeever (RC ’04; RC Upperclassperson ’07, ’08)
Saturday, September 29

Thank you all for your commitment to the Warren Ashby Residential College. Thank you for being here today.  As a current member of RC, I have oftentimes found myself in total awe of the great history of the program: the innovation of Warren Ashby; the dedication of those who got the program onto its feet, as well as those who fight the constant battle of making ourselves known on campus; the students who come through.  I am constantly amazed by everything around me.  I'm convinced that I am living and working with people who will one day be famous, well-known and well-loved members of whatever community they will eventually join.

I can't measure the gratitude that I have for all these people, those of you who I have met and the many who I have not.  And it's hard to even say what I would thank you for.  Thank you for a place that I could call home, seven hours away from home as a freshman.  Thank you for a place I could safely learn how the real world works, oftentimes through crash courses in personal conduct.  Thank you for bringing together a community of people that envision change and take great steps to accomplish that change.  Thank you for a classroom where I could learn how to broaden my understanding of sisterly love.

Thank you for caring about the future, and therefore, myself and all who currently dwell here and all who have dwelt here and all who will dwell here.  Thank you for the many hours of careful cultivation you have put forth.  I assure you, they have not been hours wasted.

I think I speak for many of us when I say that the awe of our great history inspires us to craft an even greater history for Warren Ashby Residential College.  This renaming is absolutely key to remembering that history and to remember Warren Ashby's great commitment to community, to the future, and to all of us here today.