Blog

When I was six years old, I joined a jump rope team. Yes, you read that correctly — a jump rope team! For those living in the Huntington area, you might remember the Hopping Hoosiers performing at basketball half-time shows, festivals, and parades. We also competed at a local, regional, and national level. I was a part of that team all through high school. It was a way for me to participate in something fun and to feel like I was part of something bigger. It took the entire team to put on a great show, and I learned a great deal about myself during that time.

Can I tell you the honest truth? Writing about the “chases truth” Forester trait is tricky, more difficult (for me at least) than many of the other Forester traits. I’ve been writing about the Spirit of a Forester for years, yet right now I’m carefully considering every word I write. And I think that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t want to handle the truth lightly.

Creativity is a part of the Forester identity. So where does that leave people who don’t consider themselves creative?

Foresters defy complacency by understanding themselves and seeking opportunities to grow that fit who they are. They can defy complacency in whatever they do — in English essays, lab experiments, and even in softball games — without being perfect at everything. Instead, they cultivate a sense of self-awareness and meaningful growth.

Growing up in Ohio, I witnessed firsthand what is arguably the most significant source of Buckeye pride: the Ohio State University vs. University of Michigan football game. Public schools and church youth groups heralded the annual event with “wear your team colors” spirit days. Officially, it didn’t matter which team you represented, but the outnumbered Michigan fans took plenty of good-natured teasing.

I wouldn’t be able to describe Mrs. Lamont’s face to a sketch artist, yet her attitude toward learning made a lasting impression on me. When I think of “remaining curious,” I think of Mrs. Lamont. She is the first adult I can remember who liked learning things just for the sake of learning them — and she would tell you so.

When I think about the word grit, I think about sand. Not the sparkling tropical beach variety. I picture the lake in the middle of Indiana kind of sand — mostly small rocks that aren’t quite smooth mixed with dirt and clay. Commonplace, and probably not pristine. If you walk through gritty sand like this, you’ll feel it dig into your flip-flops and come away with dusty traces on your feet.

When we first talked with alumni about the Spirit of a Forester concept and what the traits of a Forester could be, we knew one word would come up often: community. We knew this because alumni have been talking about HU’s strong sense of community since the very beginning.

Recently, an occupational therapy doctoral student lived her dream to return to her home community and give back to those who provided her with support. Her goal was to lay the foundation for an inclusive community for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Abigail Saxman Muhlenkamp worked for fourteen weeks to successfully complete educational requirements for her doctoral capstone.

The end of a calendar year typically brings a time of reflection on how one we have best impacted those around us. According to Network for Good, 31% of annual giving occurs in December, with 12% of those contributions happening in the last three days of the year. You may fall into that category. As you consider your year-end giving, I hope you find great joy in the process. I hope it helps you create a legacy at a nonprofit organization that has significant meaning for you. And I also hope you are sharing this information with those you love.