Ut Proism The Virtues Virginia Tech Instills was a critical time for Virginia Tech. It was at this turning point that the university

Transcription

1 Ut Proism The Virtues Virginia Tech Instills 1896 was a critical time for Virginia Tech. It was at this turning point that the university transformed and established some of the main components the university has been building upon since; a few of these include the adoption of burnt orange and Chicago maroon as the school colors, a name change to Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (VPI), and the first Virginia Tech football game in history against Roanoke College. Among these critical elements that Virginia Tech had put into effect in 1896 is one that means much more to the Hokie nation; this is the university motto Ut Proism, meaning that I may serve. Present day, Ut Proism not only serves as the University motto, but is one of the War Memorial Pylons that represents the core values of Virginia Tech. Ut Proism is a value that embodies the true purpose of the Virginia Tech and has much greater implications through the impact Virginia Tech students, staff, and alumni have had on the world. In explaining the personal importance of Ut Proism, I feel it is necessary to share the experiences of Eric Greitens, author of Virginia Tech s common book, The Heart and the Fist. Eric Greitens is an incredible person who truly exemplifies the motto that I may serve ; through his humanitarian work overseas, Greitens shows how Ut Proism can be applied to cause real positive change in the world. In The Heart and the Fist, Eric Greitens describes his time serving as a humanitarian in Bolivia. While in Bolivia, Eric Greitens has the chance to photograph and document the lives of Bolivian street children. These children walk a fine line between becoming a victim of the streets, through things such as drugs, crime, and self-mutilation, or living relatively healthy lives under the care of humanitarian leaders. Humanitarian leaders try to provide hope in the eyes of

2 these down-and-out youth, most of which have lacked basic emotional support systems such as families their entire lives. Greitens was given a chance to spend time with the street children and experienced a very different atmosphere than he had while participating in humanitarian work in the past. Greitens found that his involvement in the lives of the street children led to some unsatisfying realizations. As he learned more about the children and observed the impacts of drugs, crime, and self-destructive behaviors, it was difficult for him to find motivation because it seemed that it was impossible to improve these children s lives. Eric Greitens expresses that he was selfishly angry because as he could not see any hope... Many of these kids were too far gone. (Greitens, 2011, p. 95) After working through his conflicting thoughts, Greitens provided a strong quote that lingered with me through the rest of the reading; he wrote I still believed that I could shape the world through service, but I d learned in Bolivia that patience and acceptance would be part of the journey. (Greitens, 2011, p. 106) This realization allowed me to drill further in on what Ut Proism meant to me and that serving other not only helps them, but can be used to help selfactualize and eventually reach a level of self-transcendence that will allow me to have a greater impact on the world. It is in Eric Greitens s experience in Bolivia that I am reminded the importance of Ut Proism. Service, such as Greitens s humanitarian work, is important because it allows one to contribute a positive force into the world. It allows people to provide the hope when there is none. Service provides the opportunity to give hope to the hopeless. Service allows individuals to act as a metaphorical light house; it gives people the capability to guide those who have no light and assists them to steer away from the rugged waters and havoc filled reefs that come along

3 with life. A true individual that values Ut Proism is motivated internally to provide this hope; it is in these acts that we can help better the world around us and improve the lives of others. This importance of Ut Proism, that is expressed in The Heart and the Fist, is something that I was able to identify with and reflect upon the lessons learned. I have had a very fortunate life growing up and service has allowed me to give back and help those in less fortunate situations. Although I have not experienced the extent of humanitarian work Eric Greitens s has, I have been able to engage in several service projects. One of these projects took place in Danville, Virginia, which is the one of the lowest income areas in Virginia. Danville s residents are stricken by poverty and many experience physical disabilities. During my work in Danville, I experienced a somewhat grim situation when working with an elderly woman who was handicapped and lived in a less-than-sanitary trailer; the woman lacked a support system to help her get health essential items and her decreased mobility made it challenging for her to get out. Through the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, I went in with a team to build a wheelchair ramp to assist her in getting out to hopefully improve her quality of life. Although this is not as severe as children suffering from substance abuse in Bolivia, it still allowed me to give back and help the lives of others. It is in these acts that I am reminded of a quote that Greitens used in his book from Ralph Waldo Emerson; Emerson said that without action, thought can never ripen into truth. (Greitens, 2011, p. 89) Personally, I believe that one of the significant contributions of Ut Proism lies in its ability to cause actual positive change in the lives of others. Ut Proism, or that I may serve is something that is unanimously important at Virginia Tech. It is the War Memorial Pylon that I can identify most strongly with. I feel Eric Greitens s

4 work resonates with this core value of Virginia Tech while addressing his humanitarian efforts overseas in the common book, The Heart and the Fist.

5 References Greitens, E. (2011). The heart and the fist: The education of a humanitarian, the making of a wordnavy SEAL. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.