By TAYLOR
FARNSWORTH
Opinion Editor
From mom and pop shops and cows at every corner to the fast pace of the city and 2 a.m. pizza runs, for Alexandra Gibson, senior at Saint Rose studying Sociology/American Studies, Albany was nothing like her hometown of Otisville, New York.
Four years were spent adapting to the new scenery and ever changing positions she’s held at the college, but now as one journey comes to a close another one is just beginning – Grad school.
“I feel like there is still so much to learn,” said Gibson about working towards her Masters in Higher Education at the University of Albany in the fall. “I want to be involved with research for higher education institutions or even secondary institutions.”
During her undergraduate studies, Gibson has taken on numerous leadership roles that have helped to prepare her for her future endeavors. As Circulation Assistant, she could be found helping her peers locate and checkout books at the Neil Hellman library. Gibson was also an Admissions Tour Guide, Orientation Leader, an International Student Orientation Leader, a Resident Assistant (RA), Week of Welcome Team Leader, Reach Out Saint Rose participant and Team Leader, Student Events Board (SEB) Novelties Chair, and for this past year she was the President of SEB.
“Words alone cannot express how very proud I am of Alexandra,” said Danielle Gibson, Gibson’s mother. “Not just for her achievements as an undergrad, but for her visions for her future and how she is planning for it.”
Miss Gibson said she has seen her daughter grow over the last four years and is excited for this new chapter to begin. Frequent visits and daily “Goodmorning” and “Goodnight” texts were routine between the two of them throughout her daughter’s undergraduate years. Miss Gibson says she and her daughter share a relationship “pretty consistent with that of the Gilmore Girls.”
“Alexandra is an only child from a single parent household,” she said. “For many years it was just us and we were connected at the hip.”
When Gibson left for Saint Rose, Miss Gibson said she suffered from Empty Nest Syndrome, but her daughter’s excitement and busy schedule at school eased her.
“I am fortunate she shared both her accomplishments as well as her challenges with me.”
Gibson said during her time at Saint Rose she has encountered many obstacles that have tested her, but it’s because of the obstacles that she says she is now a lot stronger than she once was.
“Alex has always been faced with adversity,” said Courtney Varnum, senior at Saint Rose. “But she’s always been able to overcome it.”
Varnum said she and Gibson have been good friends since freshman year. Both Varnum and Gibson are involved in clubs on campus: Gibson with SEB and Varnum with Student Association (SA). Even though the two will not be living in the same area after graduation, Varnum says she knows Gibson will always be there for her and is “blessed” to have gotten to know her over the last four years.
Another friend of Gibson’s said that the two getting close with one another was the highlight of her Saint Rose career.
“I am so grateful for her,” said Jordyn Veihdeffer, a student at Saint Rose. “Alex is such a hardworking, determined, and beautiful person from the inside out.”
Veihdeffer met Gibson the day she moved into her dorm room at Brubacher. Gibson was her RA. This semester, both Gibson and Veihdeffer had leadership roles at SEB: Gibson as President and Veihdeffer was chair.
“I was her mini me,” said Veihdeffer.
Gibson attributes her success and ability to stay grounded during her time at Saint Rose to her friends, family and professors. The two professors who inspired her the most were Risa Fausette, associate professor, Stephanie Bennett-Knapp, associate professor of sociology, and Jen Hankin, vice president of academic affairs.
“She [Fausette] set the standard for what college was really like,” said Gibson. “She set such a high expectation for me as a student, that I just created a high expectation for myself for the rest of my college career.”
Bennett had been Gibson’s advisor for the last three years and believes Gibson is ready for the challenge of grad school.
“Alex has always been looking for advice on future plans and where her skills would make the most difference,” said Bennett.
Bennett said Gibson is always full of energy and enthusiasm, “bringing her smile and laughter with her” anywhere she goes. Bennett recalled a time when Gibson convinced her to attend a trivia night for SEB. The event had faculty members playing against the students.
“If it were not for her enthusiam, I don’t think I would have said yes,” said Bennett about attending the event.
It’s been teaching others in all of the different roles Gibson has held that has been most rewarding to her. She said she takes pride in seeing others grow and is grateful to have been able to assist in helping anyone in whatever way possible. Saint Rose was her home away from home.
“I’ve had so many opportunities to grow as an individual,” she said about Saint Rose.
It’s the numerous roles that she took on while at the college that she says helped her have a better understanding of the concept of leadership and teamwork.
“These four years had a lot of tears, laughter, joy and growth,” she said. “At times I wish it was a lot smoother than it actually was. However, a quote that I have found really helped me to understand that everything happens for a reason, ‘You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it,’” she said, a quote by Ain Eineziz.
As Gibson prepares for her next adventure taking with her all that she has learned throughout her time at Saint Rose, Miss. Gibson says her advice to her daughter would be to continue to stay true to herself, to expect the unexpected, and to treat everyone the way she would wish to be treated.
“No matter what happens at home or in life, there is a plan and it is to be continued.”
